MALAYSIA/IRAN: Iranians and Proton eye ‘Islamic cars’

12 November 2007 | Source: just-auto.com editorial team

Malaysian automaker Proton plans to team up with companies in Iran and Turkey to produce 'Islamic cars' for the global market, a news report said in Malaysia.

Proposed by Iran, the collaboration would include installing features in automobiles such as a compass to determine the direction of Mecca for prayers, and compartments for storing the Koran and headscarves, Proton's Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin told national news agency Bernama.

"What they (Iran) want to do is to call that an Islamic car," he was quoted as saying while on a visit in Iran.

"The car will have all the Islamic features and should be meant for export purposes. We will identify a car that we can develop to be produced in Malaysia, Iran or Turkey."

"For Proton, we are more than happy because we have products that we can share," he said, adding that the move could help Proton cut down development costs, increase production volume and improve its economies of scale.