Saturday 18th August 1962
In Iran brothers, Ahmad and Mahmoud Khayami founded “Iran National” to manufacture cars. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution it became known as Iran Khodro. Their 1985 Paykan design was based on the 1967 Hillman Hunter, which was originally designed and manufactured by the British Rootes Group. Mahmoud Khayami is also known for starting the Kourosh Department Stores: the first large retail chain stores of Iran, not unlike their American counterparts Sears and Kmart.