Jalopnik: Iran

Iran's Khodro Working On Ladies-Only Car

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:40:00 EDT

Unless you live in Iran, you've probably never heard of the Khodro brand, but it's Iran's state-backed manufacturer of automobiles. Apparently, they're working up a car specifically for the ladies. The car will be based on the existing Samand line but will offer brighter colors, softer lines in the interior, a rear-seat DVD player for the kids, parking assistance, and a flat-tire monitor among other features. Re-read that list, and you'll realize that Iran apparently considers practically every car for sale in the US to be a ladies' model. Oh man, Toby Keith is going to be totally pissed. (Thanks for the tip Jack) [Telegraph]

Nice Price Or Crack Pipe: The $39,975 Iran Khodro Paykan Deluxe 1600!

Murilee Martin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

77% of readers thought the low-mileage Chryslerati falls on the Crack Pipe side of the NPOCP Scale. That might be a bit harsh, but the K Car underpinnings of the Chrysler TC By Maserati may have seemed too common. That's why today's car is something that we're pretty sure nobody has ever seen driving in the street in North America: a genuine Paykan. Yes, this fine customized Iranian-built Hillman Hunter- equipped with genuine "Boog Benzy"- will be shipped right to your door! Don't worry about any customs or registration hassles with this Axis Of Evil machine, because the seller assures us "I can have this vehicle registered for road use in all 50 states (don't worry about DMV or DOT). I will explain to you the process in detail." So, what do you think of this deal? Thanks to HotRodElectric for the tip! [eBay Motors]

Iran Khodro Samand: Persian-French Stallion Now Available In Turkey!

Murilee Martin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT

You might think it's impossible to buy a new Peugeot 405-based Iran Khodro Samand without venturing into the Axis Of Evil itself, and that might lead to hassles from The Man. However, Iran Khodro is now selling the Samand in neighboring Turkey- a NATO ally! We'd prefer a Paykan, of course, but an Iranian-built French car is almost as cool as an Iranian-built British car.

Shopping For A Hillman Hunteramino? Iran Khodro Bardo!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT

We talked about the Hillman Hunter-based Iran Khodro Paykan recently, and a couple of you mentioned the pickup version of the Paykan. Well, Franzouse has done some digging, and it turns out that Iran Khodro still sells the Paykanamino, though they prefer to call it the Bardo. Before heading over to the IKI site, check out this page for some Paykan/Bardo history. [Iran Khodro Industries]

Hillman Hunter? No, Paykan!

Murilee Martin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Just as the Hidustan Motors Ambassador kept the design of the '56 Morris Oxford alive for decades, the Iran Khodro Paykan enabled the design of another fine British car, the '67 Hillman Hunter, to remain in production until 2005 (though the Hillman engines were replaced with Peugeot units starting in the mid-80s). Here's a little Paykan history lesson, courtesy of one of the car's many Iranian aficionados.

Proton Building An Islamic Car?

Ray Wert — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:35:47 EST

Who knew cars could be religious? Apparently Proton's making a car they plan to build in Malaysia, Iran and Turkey — highlighted by an order to supply 5000 taxis to Teheran. Proton's claiming the car they'll be using to fill the order will be an "Islamic car." What makes it so religiously tag-lined? How about that it's fitted with a compass pointing to Mecca and a compartment to store prayer scarves and a Koran. Jeez, if that's what determines whether a car is Islamic, methinks any car with a glove compartment and a broken compass pointing an extra 90 degrees clockwise would also be a follower of the five pillars. [via motoring.co.za]

The Shah's Maserati Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave!

Murilee Martin — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:00:00 EDT

So let's say you considered buying the Cadillac XLR that was the last car given away by Bob Barker, but decided against it because, well, it just didn't have enough celebrity glow to it? It's a good thing you waited, because here's your chance to buy a '78 Maserati Kyalami originally owned by Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran before the 1979 revolution. Since the car is described as "stripped and primed," we can assume that the photograph is not quite exactly a shot of what you'll be buying. But who cares? It's the Shah's Maserati! And, yes, I am required by law to use a Butthole Surfers reference whenever possible. [eBay]

Iran to Nearly Double Auto Production by 2015

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Last year, the Islamic Republic of Iran churned out 1.1 million vehicles. By 2015, they hope to hit the magic two mil mark. According to Manouchehr Manteghi of Iran's largest automaker, Irankhodo, the sanctions imposed due to the nation's nucular program haven't stayed technological progress, but they have made sourcing funding more difficult. Nevertheless, Irankhodo's working on plans for production lines in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Venezuela and Syria, as well as expanding Renault Logan production to 300,000 units.

Iran plans to produce two million cars by 2015 [Forbes]

Related:
Tehran Mandates Dual-Fuel Cars by July 23 [Internal]

Tehran Mandates Dual-Fuel Cars by July 23

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:45:00 EDT

Iran's leadership has come down with a decree that all cars produced from July 23rd will run on either gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas. Ironically, although Iran produces approximately 574.398756 incredibly gigantic pantsfuls of oil per annum, their refining capacity is limited, leaving the nation to import 40% of its petrol. Currently, they're rationing gasoline at three liters a day, which has the populace in a tizzy. Meanwhile, they've apparently got a fair bit of LPG lying about, so they've issued a mandate that all cars produced in the country will now feature dual-fuel capability.

Iran Going Green With New Cars Dual Fuel By July 23 [AHN]

Rollin' Down The Ave In My Sham

Murilee Martin — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:10:16 EST

A Syrianized version of the Iranian Samand, itself based on the Peugeot 405 will be built in Syria in a joint Syrian-Iranian plant in Adra Industrial City, announced the governments of both nations. This car, essentially a copy of a copy of a 20-year-old French design, will be (aptly) named the Sham; the plan is to build 10,000 per year. No word on a Shamamino version, but we can always hope. – Murilee Martin

President al-Assad Inaugurates First Phase of Car Manufacturing Plant in Syria [Syrian Arab News Agency]

DaimlerChrysler Pulls Out of Iran, Emboldens Enemies

Ray Wert — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 08:31:00 EST

German magazine WirtschaftsWoche, whose name is neither more nor less ridiculous than any other German magazine we quote, is reporting that DaimlerChrysler is abandoning its majority stake in Setareh, the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz products in Iran. The magazine sites a source who says increased pressure from the US on companies doing business in Iran is the main reason for the move. The DCX pullout contrasts sharply with a business-exchange plan proposed by the Bush Administration to flood the country with Humvees. – Matt Hardigree

DaimlerChrysler to exit Iran [CNNMoney.com]

Related:
The Jalopnik Morning Shift [internal]

The Jalopnik Morning Shift

Ray Wert — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 08:50:11 EDT

• A guy is driving a car powered by vegetable oil across New Zealand. The funny? His name is MacDonald. [stuff.co.nz]
• You know you've got a pretty big classic car show on your hands when Verizon has to roll the damn COW into town. [tmcnet]
• No, there it is...rule #490 in the Koran — "And the Lord spoketh unto his prophet Mohammed and decreed, 'Renault will NOT build cars here'" We're not kidding, look it up. [Reuters]
• There's gold in them thar suppliers! [Detroit News]
• We've always said the real kooks are from Grand Rapids. [WZZM]
• Hyundai apologizes and then stares intently for hours at its collective Johnson. Yes, Hyundai. [BBC News]
• Diversification...not...happening. Does...not...compute. [Detroit News]