A car that points Mecca
Is this a Car for the Muslims? Yes. According to Iran Khodro, the head of the Middle East’s biggest carmaker and partner announced that in 2011, the collaboration of three major Islamic countries including Iran, Malaysia and Turkey will introduce the first unique car packed with Islamic features and definitely it won’t have an Acura Integra tie rod.
The investment and production of this vehicle that we can consider religious will be taken cared of by the world’s biggest countries having faith in Allah says Manouchehr Manteghi, the CEO and president of the partly-owned Iranian company.
Last November, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, Malaysia’s Proton chief executive announced that the Islamic car would be installed with Islamic features like a compass to point the direction of Mecca, the Islamic holy city. However, details about when the three countries will make their investments and would start the car’s production were not given by Tahir.
"This car will be produced with the latest technology and it will measure up to all global standards when it goes into different markets in 2011," Manteghi said. But he denied that any Islamic features would be standard and said the car could be marketed in non-Muslim countries.
"Each Islamic country can order the additional equipment based on its own needs. In addition to Islamic countries, this car is capable of being presented in all global markets," Manteghi said.
According to Manteghi, his company was able to make a total of 525,000 cars and pick-up trucks in July 2006. Because of this huge production capacity, his firm was chosen by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to be the project leader.
The car will be sold for about 6,000 to 8,000 euros ($8,800-$11,700). The main target markets would be Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
It also makes vehicle models such as Peugeot’s 206 and 405 and Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Grand Vitara.
