Written by SAIPA cars
SAIPA cars come from Iran’s second-largest carmaker, based in Tehran and founded in 1965 to build Citroëns. In this guide you’ll find the current Shahin, Atlas, Aria, Quick, Sahand and Tiba, as well as the Pride and the Citroën, Renault and Kia deals behind them.
SAIPA cars at a Glance
Founded 1965 As SAIPAC, to build Citroëns
Headquarters Tehran On the Karaj Special Road
Listing Tehran Stock Exchange Large state-linked holdings
Sales, 2025 About 310,000 Iran, calendar year
Market rank No. 2 in Iran Behind Iran Khodro
Subsidiaries Pars Khodro, Zamyad Cars and pickups
SAIPA cars Model Lineup
SAIPA cars are small, affordable sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers built mostly for Iranian buyers. The Shahin and Aria ride on the newer SP1 platform, while the Quick, Atlas, Sahand and Tiba use the older X200 family. In addition, SAIPA builds Changan models.
Sedans (3)
Compact sedan
Shahin
1.5 turbo Since 2020
The Shahin entered mass production in December 2020. It uses a 1.5-liter turbo with 110 hp and 178 Nm, while the Shahin Plus of 2023 has a 1.6-liter with 115 hp. You can get a five-speed manual or an automatic.
Small sedan
Sahand
X200 family Since 2023
The Sahand is the new generation of the Saina, and production started in 2023. In fact, its sales rose 91.3% in 2025.
Small sedan
Tiba
1.5 liters Since 2009
The Tiba first appeared as the Miniator in December 2008, and the sedan followed in 2009. It uses a 1.5-liter M15 engine, so it’s simple and cheap. In fact, it was Iran’s most-produced vehicle in 2024.
Hatchbacks and crossovers (3)
Small hatchback
Quick
X200 family Since 2017
The Quick is SAIPA’s small hatchback, and it arrived in 2017. In 2025, it was one of Iran’s top five sellers, with sales up 37.1%.
Small crossover
Atlas
90 hp Since 2023
The Atlas is a raised hatchback on the X200 platform, and it was shown in 2022. It uses a 1.5-liter engine with 90 hp, while you can pick a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Above all, it entered Iran’s top 10 in 2025.
Compact crossover
Aria
Up to 2.0 GDi Since 2023
The Aria is SAIPA’s biggest crossover, and it shares the SP1 platform with the Shahin. You can get a 1.6-liter with 115 hp or a 2.0-liter GDi with about 150 hp, as well as a six-speed automatic.
What Is SAIPA?
SAIPA stands for Société Anonyme Iranienne de Production Automobile. It began in 1965 as SAIPAC, a company 75% owned by Iranian investors that assembled Citroën models under licence. Then it was renamed SAIPA in 1975.
Later, SAIPA built the Renault 5 and the Kia Pride under licence. As a result, the Pride became one of the most common cars in Iran, and it stayed in production until 2020.
Since 2020, SAIPA has moved to its own designs, such as the Shahin, Aria and Atlas. Meanwhile, it owns Pars Khodro and the pickup maker Zamyad. However, it remains smaller than its rival Iran Khodro.
SAIPA cars History
SAIPA cars went from licensed Citroëns to in-house designs, so these are the key steps.
- 1965 SAIPAC is founded to assemble Citroëns.
- 1968 Then the Jyane, a version of the Citroën Dyane, goes into production.
- 1975 The company is renamed SAIPA, and Renault 5 production begins.
- 1980 After that, Citroën production ends.
- 1993 SAIPA starts building the Kia Pride under licence.
- 1998 Meanwhile, SAIPA takes over the pickup maker Zamyad.
- 2000 SAIPA buys 51% of Pars Khodro.
- 2001 Later, the Citroën Xantia enters production.
- 2005 Kia Rio assembly begins.
- 2008 Then the Tiba is unveiled as the Miniator.
- 2010 In addition, the state sells an 18% block on the Tehran Stock Exchange.
- 2016 The Saina launches, and SAIPA forms a joint venture with PSA for Citroën.
- 2018 However, PSA and Renault pull out of Iran.
- 2020 The Pride ends, and Shahin mass production begins.
- 2023 After that, the Atlas, Aria and Sahand enter production.
- 2025 Finally, a sale of about 42% of SAIPA to private buyers begins.
Iconic SAIPA Models
SAIPA cars have a long licensed past, and these two models defined it.
1993
Pride
Kia licence Built about 27 years
SAIPA built the Kia Pride from 1993, first as the Saba and Nasim. Over time it reached 97% local content, and production ended in 2020.
2016
Saina
X200 family Pride successor
The Saina launched in 2016 as a more modern small sedan. Later, the Sahand replaced it as the new generation in 2023.
Who Owns SAIPA cars?
SAIPA cars are built by a company listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, with large state-linked shareholders. In 2025, holders of about 42% offered their stake to private buyers. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Listed company Tehran Stock Exchange Large state-linked holdings
This page SAIPA Tehran, Iran
Carmaker Pars Khodro 51% since 2000
Pickups Zamyad Owned since 1998
Trucks and buses SAIPA Diesel Commercial vehicles
Plant Kashan SAIPA Opened 2008
Partner brands
SAIPA and Pars Khodro have built cars with or for these brands.
For example, the Zamyad Z24 pickup is based on the Nissan Junior, while Pars Khodro built the Renault Logan as the Tondar 90 until 2018.
Earlier history
- Citroën (1965–1980) SAIPA built Citroëns under licence, including about 120,000 Jyanes, and later the Xantia from 2001 to 2010.
- Renault (1975–2018) The Renault 5 ran from 1975 to 1994, while the Tondar 90 was built until 2018.
- Kia (1993–2012) SAIPA built the Pride and, from 2005, the Rio until it lost the licence in 2012.
- PSA joint venture (2016–2018) Saipa Citroën was a 50/50 venture at Kashan, but PSA suspended it in 2018.
SAIPA cars Accomplishments
The record of SAIPA cars is mostly about volume, because the company has put millions of Iranians on the road.
310,000
Sales, 2025
SAIPA sold about 310,000 vehicles in Iran in 2025, second only to Iran Khodro.
650,000
Vehicles in 2010
In 2010, SAIPA built about 650,000 vehicles a year.
27 years
Pride production
The Pride stayed in production for about 27 years before it ended in 2020.
97%
Local content
In fact, the Pride reached 97% local content.
120,000
Jyanes built
About 120,000 Jyanes were built from 1968.
100,000+
Tondar orders in a week
Similarly, the Tondar 90 took more than 100,000 orders in its first week in 2007.
120,000
Russia contract, 2023
In 2023, SAIPA signed a contract to supply 120,000 vehicles to Russia.
No. 1
Most-produced car, 2024
The Tiba was Iran’s most-produced vehicle in 2024.
Talk SAIPA With Other Owners
When you own a SAIPA, you’ll have plenty to share, whether it’s a daily Tiba, a new Shahin or a classic Jyane. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a SAIPA community space where you can swap tips, compare models and plan meetups.
- Shahin and Shahin Plus
- Aria
- Atlas
- Quick
- Sahand and Saina
- Tiba
- Pride and 151 pickup
- Jyane and Renault 5
SAIPA cars FAQ
What does SAIPA stand for?
SAIPA stands for Société Anonyme Iranienne de Production Automobile. It began in 1965 as SAIPAC to assemble Citroëns.
Who owns SAIPA?
SAIPA is listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, with large state-linked holdings. In 2025, a sale of about 42% to private buyers began.
Is SAIPA bigger than Iran Khodro?
No. Iran Khodro sold more than 400,000 vehicles in 2025, while SAIPA sold about 310,000.
Does SAIPA still make the Pride?
No. Pride production ended in 2020, although the Saipa 151 pickup is based on it.
What engine does the Shahin use?
The Shahin uses a 1.5-liter turbo with 110 hp, while the Shahin Plus has a 1.6-liter with 115 hp.
Does SAIPA still work with Citroën or Renault?
No. PSA, which owned Citroën, and Renault both pulled out in 2018.
Which brands does SAIPA own?
SAIPA owns 51% of Pars Khodro and has owned the pickup maker Zamyad since 1998.
Explore More Manufacturers
Finally, compare SAIPA cars with its rival and its former partners.
Photo credits
- Header image: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Teal Saipa Shahin sedan on display at…: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Saipa Atlas crossover with orange trim…: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Saipa Aria crossover with a CVT…: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Cream Saipa Quick R+ hatchback on display: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Saipa Sahand sedan parked on a…: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Saipa Tiba sedan parked on open…: M.S.H.iran88, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver 2013 Saipa Pride 131 SE in…: Jeeputer, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Saipa Saina sedan photographed in Sari,…: قندون, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.