Bahman Group Mazda 3 (Bardo) History

Bahman Group began assembling the second-generation Mazda 3 compact sedan under licence in late 2006, with full production commencing in 2007. In the Iranian market the car was commonly referred to as the 'Bardo,' and it quickly became one of the most recognised Japanese-brand vehicles available to Iranian consumers.

The Mazda 3 line accounted for a significant share of Bahman's production volume through the 2010s, with components supplied directly from Japan. The sedan body style was the primary variant, though a hatchback version was also produced.

The programme ended abruptly in 2018 when Mazda Motor Corporation suspended all activities in Iran following the reimposition of U.S. sanctions (Executive Order 13846, effective August 7, 2018). The loss of the Mazda 3 forced Bahman to accelerate its pivot toward Chinese-brand partnerships that had already been forming since 2013.