“Why should we import the cars from a bankrupt American factory?”
When I don't like a particular kind of car, I slag it off to mates, or write nasty words about it on the internet.
But, when Iran's Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei doesn't like a particular kind of car, he bans them from his country.
Chevrolet recently felt this wrath — their Camaros and Volts now confirmed as forbidden fruit in Iran following catty comments from Khamenei.
"Even the Americans are not interested in buying such cars because of their weight and high fuel consumption," he said.
"Why should we import the cars from a bankrupt American factory? This is very odd."
Fueling his comments are desires to increase sales of locally produced cars. The automotive sector is Iran's second most active industry behind oil and gas, and bases itself largely around smaller platforms. Not the big heavy tanks of America.
Included in the local contingent is Iran Khodro, or IKCO. Their production spans cars like the Samad and Runna, but extends to cars like Peugeots, Renaults, and Suzukis.
Reuters report that an incoming shipment of 200 Chevrolets are likely to be the next casualty of the new ruling.
The American marque's removal from Iran's 'approved imports' list whittles down the already limited number of brands to the likes of Hyundai, Porsche, and BMW.