Proton's Islamic car idea

I couldn't believe it when I read about Proton's plan to come out with an Islamic car on Ainee's blog. Read the Reuter's report here.

So what's Islamic about the car?

Well, it will come equipped with a compass that points to Mecca, and a compartment meant specifically to put the Koran, the Islamic holy book. Proton plans to develop the car jointly with Iran and Turkey.

Apparently the idea came from the Iranians.


Pic from the Proton site.

Zagross Khodro Car Industries Co., the sole assembler and distributor of Proton in Iran has recently ordered 5,000 units of the Waja (called Impian in foreign markets) to be used as taxis in Iran. This is part of a US$200 million urban public transportation renewal initiative in Tehran. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi unveiled the green coloured taxi at a ceremony there. Read the press release: 'Proton clinches orders for 5,000 WAJA for Iran'.

At first I thought it is a ridiculous idea but then it might be a great marketing idea. If that is what customers in Muslim countries want, why not?