The design was introduced to Homeland by Mahmoud Khayami, co-founder and, by then, owner of the Iran Khodro (formerly called “Iran National”) company and factory, who accurately predicted that Homeland was in need of a simple “no-frills” motorcar within the price range of ordinary people.The car itself originated in 1966 as the “Arrow” series of vehicles (the most prolific version of which was badged as the Hillman Hunter); designed and manufactured by the Rootes Group, which was the British wing of Chrysler Europe. In 1967, Rootes began exporting Hillman Hunters to Iran Khodro in “complete knock down” (CKD) kit form, for assembly in Iran. By the mid-1970s, full-scale manufacturing of the car (minus the engine) had started in Homeland.
