Iran Khodro Logo

Iran Khodro Brand History

Iran Khodro was founded on 29 August 1962 as Iran National by the Khayami family. The public joint-stock company is headquartered in Tehran and trades on the Tehran Stock Exchange under the ticker IKCO1. It is recognized as the largest automaker in Iran and the Middle East.

The company initially produced Peugeot vehicles under license before developing indigenous models. In 1979 it was renamed from Iran National to Iran Khodro, which translates literally as “Iran Automobile.”

Key milestones include the start of Paykan production in 1967. This Hillman Hunter-based model served as Iran’s national car until 2005. In 2001 the company launched the Samand, its first fully Iranian-designed car, intended to replace the aging Paykan as the new national car. The 1990s and 2000s marked a major expansion period that established Iran Khodro as the regional leader by 1999.

Iran Khodro Logo Evolution

1962–2025: Original Horse Crest

The original Iran Khodro logo has been used for over six decades with remarkable consistency. This long-term emblem features a stylized silhouette of a horse’s head enclosed in a crest-shaped frame.

• Design: Stylized horse-head silhouette inside a crest frame with two thin contrasting lines for depth and elegance
• Colors: Blue and white
• Changes: Remained essentially unchanged through the 1979 renaming, Paykan era, and Samand introduction
• Context: The horse symbol represents power, speed, grace and nobility while blue and white convey reliability, innovation and confidence

This Iran Khodro car logo appeared both as a standalone emblem and alongside typography. When a wordmark was used it featured bold uppercase sans-serif lettering with slightly flared ends and sharpened angles. The international version displayed the IKCO abbreviation while the domestic version used the full Iran Khodro name.

2025–Present: Modernized Horse Logo

In March 2025 Iran Khodro unveiled a new corporate logo, marking the first significant redesign in decades. This updated version presents a contemporary interpretation of the horse symbol.

• Design: Modernized horse emblem representing strength, speed and agility
• Colors: Not specified in available records
• Changes: First conscious modernization of the long-standing horse motif
• Context: Aims to refresh the brand image following more than sixty years of visual stability

The 2025 update reflects an effort to align the Iran Khodro emblem with current perceptions of modernity while preserving the core horse symbolism that has defined the brand since its founding.

Iran Khodro Logo Meaning and Design Philosophy

The central symbol in the Iran Khodro car symbol is the horse, chosen to embody power, speed, grace, sophistication and nobility. This choice aligns with the company’s identity as a leading automaker seeking to project strength and prestige in both domestic and international markets.

The traditional blue and white color scheme reinforces values of reliability, innovation, expertise, protection and confidence. Together these elements create a professional and polished appearance that has supported the brand through major milestones including the transition from Iran National to Iran Khodro and the shift from the Paykan to the Samand.

The exceptional consistency of the Iran Khodro logo history demonstrates a deliberate strategy of visual loyalty. Only in 2025 did the company introduce a modernized version, signaling a strategic push toward an updated global perception while retaining the fundamental horse motif.

For those seeking visual references, high-quality assets include an Iran Khodro logo png, Iran Khodro logo transparent background, Iran Khodro logo hd and Iran Khodro png variants. The Iran Khodro symbol continues to represent one of the most enduring emblems in Middle Eastern automotive branding.