A car to be made by Iran, Malaysia and Turkey will be launched in 2011, Iran Khodro’s head said on Wednesday.
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Manouchehr Manteghi, chief executive and president of the partly state-owned Iranian company, told Reuters Islamic countries would be behind all the investment and production.
The news agency noted that Proton chief executive, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, had said in November that the three countries would develop the car with Islamic features such as a compass to determine the direction of Mecca but did not say when production would start.
“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 told Reuters.
But he reportedly 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 told the news agency.
According to Reuters, Manteghi said Iran Kodro was chosen by the Organisation of The Islamic Conference (OIC) to lead the project.
The car would be sold for about EUR6,000 to EUR8,000 ($US8,800-$11,700) with the main target markets in Africa, the Middle East and southeast Asia, the report added.
