TEHRAN - Iran imported $92 million of car tires in the first two months of the current Iranian calendar year (March to May 2024), showing a 76 percent growth compared to the same period last year, a report said.

The report put the total value of the car tires imported into the country in the first two months of the previous Iranian calendar year (March to May 22, 2023) at over $52 million,

The import of tires in the first two months of the current Persian calendar year (started March 21, 2024) indicated an 89 percent growth in terms of weight compared to last year's corresponding period, the report added.

The tire industry has a 60-year history in Iran. Currently, 11 tire manufacturing companies are active across the country that produce tires for passenger cars, trucks, buses, vans, road construction, and agriculture machinery, as well as bicycles and motorcycles in addition to other types of tubes.

Some 15,000 people are directly employed in this industry and more than 250,000 people are indirectly involved in the value chain of this industry.

The Iranian tire industry, despite the continuation of sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic conditions, as well as some domestic restrictions, has been following a thriving and successful path over the past few years.

In addition to the successes achieved in terms of the output amount, Iranian tire manufacturers have entered new areas including production of the wide-base tires and the tires of SUVs.

Wide base tires, which are a new generation of heavy vehicle tires, have been produced for the first time in West Asia by Iranian producers.

EF/