KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 - Malaysia plans to team up with Iran and Turkey to jointly develop what they called the world's first 'Islamic' car, complete with features for Muslims, for the world market, Malaysia's Bernama news agency said.

The car will incorporate features such as a compass to determine the direction of Mecca for prayers as well as compartments for storing the Koran and headscarves, it quoted the head of Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings as saying.

'We will identify a car that we can develop and produce it in Malaysia, Iran or Turkey,' Proton Chief Executive Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, on a visit to Iran, said.

Read more at: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071111/tbs-proton-islam-7318940.html

That's a marketing trick. If it featured anyone of the below I would call it a revolutionary concept.

* An anti gravity system equipped with gyros to turn the passengers to Kabah regardless of where they are heading.

* An advanced GPS system to show nearby mosques. The car will automatically zip in, on finding a suitable parking space.

* A rosary hanging from the steering wheel which can be used to shift gears as well.

* A liquified crystal based windshield connected to a pattern recognizing computer that will detect obscenety around and darken the pane to avoid eye contact.

* Automatic internal ezan broadcast featuring a radio link with the most popular mosque in the vicinity.

* A shoe cupboard mounted on the parcel shelf as shoes are to be removed before entering.

vino sometimes suprises me with his rare sense of humor

Actually, I think this thread should actually be re-titled "Dying useless Malaysian car company makes one last desparate attempt to save itself"

When you read between the lines its a NOTHING story. They "plan" (but its not confirmed) to team up with Iran and Turkey (they probably didn't even approach anyone in Iran or Turkey yet!). They have not even decided which country will produce this car yet! They have "had talks" with Volkswagan and General Motors - which probably means a quick phone call and a reply of "we'll get back to you"

So, a company makes huge losses and sits around a table to come up with a money making idea....."ouh there are lots of muslims- lets make a car for them!!

Sadly, a country like Iran will probably take it seriously.......

Next we need a name for this car... Any suggestions? The Proton Dudu?

why you say so? Proton was quite popular once upon a time in Turkey... at least they PRODUCE a car as an islamic country... well but what we are doing... we just buy them... shame on us!