Malaysian Company Plans "Islamic" Cars

Washington DC November 12, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that Malaysian national carmaker Proton plans to team up with companies in Iran and Turkey to produce "Islamic cars" for the global market, according to CNN.

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 Quran and headscarves.

"What they (Iran) want to do is to call that an Islamic car," Proton's Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin 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," Syed Zainal said. Proton is aggressively seeking to raise exports and boost sales as its domestic market share fell to 23 percent, from about 60 percent five years ago.

The state-owned carmaker has been in talks with Volkswagen and GM about a possible alliance to turn around its fortunes.