Filed under: Etc.
Proton may build world's first Islamic car
What exactly differentiates a car we might think of as "normal" from an Islamic car? For starters, it would include a compass dialed in to always point towards Mecca. It would also feature a storage compartment similar to a glove box for your copy of the Koran. Such a car is being considered for production by Proton, Malaysia's state-owned automaker. It would be developed in cooperation with parties from Turkey and Iran and possibly based on the automaker's Waja sedan, shown above. Proton could use a sales hit, and clearly the Islamic market is one yet to be fully tapped by automakers. We're curious to know whether or not such a vehicle would be seen as pandering to a demographic that's sensitive about its culture, or whether it would be embraced by people of the Islamic faith. Western religions have certainly penetrated car culture, as any person who has christened his center console with a plastic Dashboard Jesus will tell you, though we can't remember a time when Christ was offered as a factory option.
[Source: caradvice.com.au]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
RicardoHead 10:32AM (11/12/2007)
Can we aftermarket some Islamic bobbleheads and make a buck?
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Lemmiwinks 12:04PM (11/12/2007)
As long as they don't depict you-know-who.
Sam 2:56PM (11/12/2007)
lord voldemort?
Leaf 5:10PM (11/12/2007)
Lord Voldemort. Hahaha!
That made my day.
graviton 10:41AM (11/12/2007)
What a coincidence. FSM automotives will be releasing Pastafarian cars later this year.
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Tom Fjord 4:38PM (11/12/2007)
I can't wait for the Pastafarian! Will it be unmeatballed in case of rapture?
rmistiuk 10:41AM (11/12/2007)
Cmon, is this a joke?
I can put in a compass/storage compartment into my civic. Would that make it a islamic car.
What are the requirements for
a buddist car-
Christian car-
atheist car-
roman
www.romalisa.com
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tariq 5:27AM (11/13/2007)
its probably just a publicity stunt
500 10:51AM (11/12/2007)
Don't forget... an extra large trunk...
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testa di cazzo 10:53AM (11/12/2007)
whoops, meant to say that it reminded me of this ad...
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nissanfreak87 10:54AM (11/12/2007)
I think my Christian car should be able to drive over water, and if the engine dies it should start working 3 days later, also it should perform miracles on a daily basis
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RicardoHead 11:06AM (11/12/2007)
All kidding aside, these ideas seem patronizing to me. Perhaps Muslims would see it differently, but c'mon - a compass that points to Mecca and a Koran glovebox?
Why not also come out with a Scientology model with a nav system that always rants directions to L. Ron Hubbard's grave and a coin slot on the dash, or a Mormon model with embedded Tabernacle Technology in the sound system to enhance the choir, or a Buddhist model with an inflatable fat-guy airbag, or a Catholic model that dispenses crackers and blood at the touch of a button, or an Anglican model that decrees divorce upon request, or a Jehovah's Witness model that drives to each doorstep and knocks for you?
Damn I should be working for Proton marketing ....
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Yggdrasilly 12:35PM (11/12/2007)
Your question supplies its own answer: yes, if someone had proposed a Mormon car, or a Scientology car, or any other such absurdity, we'd be laughing at them, too.
The whole idea of a religion needing its own brand of auto is itself absurd.
drstrangegun 11:29AM (11/12/2007)
" and if the engine dies it should start working 3 days later,"
So you want a Chevrolet? *LOL*
GM: Running poorly for longer than most cars run at all, since 1908
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nissanfreak87 11:33AM (11/12/2007)
hahaha, well, I guess so
Richard S. 11:38AM (11/12/2007)
Then we might hear complaints from the ACLU that these Islamic cars are being profiled more at checkpoints around airports than a Japanese ort German cars, although pimped-up Escalades with 28-in. wheels also complained of profiling.
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Lemmiwinks 12:06PM (11/12/2007)
This sounds like a Saturday Night Live commercial skit.
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Yggdrasilly 12:38PM (11/12/2007)
What makes it an Islamic car? Simple: it's powered by a turban engine!
Get it? Turbine? Turban?? C'MON PEOPLE I'M DYIN' UP HERE!
Damn this writer's strike...
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AndyMF 4:23AM (11/13/2007)
err...not every Muslim wears a turban. Proton have seen their market share shall dramatically now that taxes on foreign cars have been reduced (a bit, they're still ridiculous). Any way they can sell more cars with minimal effort would be welcomed by Proton.
AndyMF 4:26AM (11/13/2007)
I meant "fall dramatically"