UANI Highlights 27% Decline in Iran's Automotive Production, Applauds Congressional Interest in Action Against Automakers Operating in Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2012 Contact: Nathan Carleton, press@uani.com Phone: (212) 554-3296 UANI Highlights 27% Decline in Iran's Automotive Production, Applauds Congressional Interest in Action Against Automakers Operating in Iran New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, issued the following statement today in response to the release of industry data indicating that the total production of new cars in Iran in April was down 27% year-on-year: Iran's auto industry is a key sector of the Iranian economy that is dominated by the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).  The Iranian auto sector is feeling the effects of international pressure campaigns from UANI and its partners. In just the last few months, certain auto companies have pulled out of Iran completely, and others have been limiting their shipments to Iran. The message is clear: responsible international auto companies will not continue to work in Iran. We call on all auto manufacturers--including Fiat, Mazda, Nissan, Renault, and Peugeot--to fully end their irresponsible business in Iran. We call on Congress to pass UANI's DRIVE Act, which would require automakers to certify they are not engaged in any business in Iran to be eligible for U.S. government contracts. UANI launched its "Auto Campaign" in March 2012. The decline in Iran's auto production is directly the result of pressure from UANI and its partners alongside international sanctions. In recent months, both Hyundai and Porsche have ended their business in Iran in response to UANI campaigns. [Click here to watch Ambassador Wallace testify to the House Foreign Affairs Committee about Iran's automotive industry.] Last week, Ambassador Wallace testified about Iran's automotive industry before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ambassador Wallace called out Peugeot and its U.S. partner GM, stating that "Peugeot right now is a major actor in Iran, a major manufacturer inside Iran in direct partnership with the IRGC." In fact, while Peugeot says it suspended its business with Iran until July, Iran produced more than 15,000 Peugeot vehicles in April. Ambassador Wallace also said that when it comes to Nissan, which was recently awarded New York City's $1 billion "Taxi of Tomorrow" contract, Americans "should be able to use the power of New York's pocketbook to impress upon Nissan to stop manufacturing automobiles in Iran." UANI has developed model legislation, the DRIVE Act, to force auto manufacturers to choose between American taxpayers and the regime. The DRIVE Act requires automakers to certify they are not engaged in any business in Iran, or engaged in the implementation of any agreement with Iranian entities in order to be eligible for U.S. government contracts or financial assistance. In March, UANI joined New York City Public Advocate de Blasio in announcing the launch of a new website, IranWatchList.com, and a corresponding consumer action campaign to pressure Porsche and 11 other automakers to end their business in Iran: Fiat, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota and Volvo.   Click here to visit UANI's "Auto Campaign" page.  Click here to read UANI's "DRIVE Act" legislation.   ###   United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons. The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures. UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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