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Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan
by BBC
Thanks to Ivan Bailey for the link.
Reposted from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7089707.stm
The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.
Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.
The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.
The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.
Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea.
Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.
Proton is the most dominant car on the streets here but the company has suffered recently after the government allowed more foreign cars to be imported.
The firm has been in talks recently with VW about a takeover by the German car giant.
Reposted from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7089707.stm
The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.
The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.
The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.
Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea.
Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.
Proton is the most dominant car on the streets here but the company has suffered recently after the government allowed more foreign cars to be imported.
The firm has been in talks recently with VW about a takeover by the German car giant.
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Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007 | PermalinkComments 1 - 50 of 66 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #87582 by Diacanu on November 12, 2007 at 2:22 pm
To the Muslim Mobile!!*Batman theme*
Other Comments by Diacanu
3. Comment #87589 by bluebird on November 12, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Interesting; another niche is filled.*****
Saudi women can sell and own a car, but not drive one.
http://abcnews.go.com/international/wireStory?id=2697181
They recently petitioned the king for 'driving rights'. Perhaps soon they can drive these cars, and not just look at them.
Other Comments by bluebird
4. Comment #87591 by Blue Lithium on November 12, 2007 at 2:42 pm
It also spontaniously combusts if a woman tries to drive it.Other Comments by Blue Lithium
5. Comment #87593 by Bonzai on November 12, 2007 at 2:53 pm
So modern technology made user friendly for Bronze age beliefs.There is an air of absurdity about it.
Reminds me of a joke I heard as a child. A cannibal spent a few years in the city learning to be cultured. When he returned home his village welcome him with a sumptuous banquet of human flesh. He was appalled. He told his fellow cannibals, "How can you people be so barbaric? Civilized people use forks and knives when they eat!"
An even more surreal story with similar flavor from Malaysia, the land of "moderate Islam".
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Malaysia_Conference_Considers_How_To_Practice_Islam_In_Space.html
If I were the Russians I would just tell these idiots to fuck off.
Other Comments by Bonzai
6. Comment #87594 by Diacanu on November 12, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Boy, I can't wait for future archaeologists to find this shit.Doesn't it make you so proud of the species?
Other Comments by Diacanu
7. Comment #87601 by steveroot on November 12, 2007 at 3:04 pm
5. Comment #87593 by Bonzai on November 12, 2007 at 2:53 pm
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Malaysia_Conference_Considers_How_To_Practice_Islam_In_Space.html
"Muslims also have to turn towards Mecca to pray and working out which direction that will be while hovering above the earth might also be challenging."
What's wrong with "DOWN"?
Steve
Other Comments by steveroot
8. Comment #87603 by Diacanu on November 12, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Think how hard it would be to aim toward mecca if we develop warp, and get out into the thick of the galaxy.Oh, right, we won't make it, religion will destroy us.
Shit.
Other Comments by Diacanu
9. Comment #87604 by Quine on November 12, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Notice that they still have a woman in the picture with the car, even though she is well covered? Other Comments by Quine
10. Comment #87605 by scottishgeologist on November 12, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Oh boy, I just cant wait till Jeremy Clarkson gets let loose on one of these.That'll be a "Top Gear" worth treasuring....
And probably a fatwa as well!
Other Comments by scottishgeologist
11. Comment #87610 by Fouad Boussetta on November 12, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I am becoming increasingly desperate at the stupidity of people. Other Comments by Fouad Boussetta
12. Comment #87616 by mandrellian on November 12, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I would've thought its grille would need to be completely shrouded to prevent wanton thoughts from other motorists, kept indoors at all times except when driven by a male relative and crushed into small cube if it was ever rear-ended (oh, the dishonour!).Other Comments by mandrellian
13. Comment #87617 by Goldy on November 12, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Protom make shit cars - they need all the gimmicks they can get to push the cars out of the showrooms. Iran's car is the Peykan, the 70's Hillman Hunter of the UK - they want new cars that are not cast offs.Koran holder, Big Gulp holder, what's the difference really?
Other Comments by Goldy
14. Comment #87620 by BMMcArdle on November 12, 2007 at 3:39 pm
What's next, a Rapture feature for Christians that automatically puts on the car's emergency flashers and slows it to a stop when it is suddenly unmanned?The manufacturers could offer it on existing models and add the letters SC (second coming).
When I was younger I would see bumper stickers that said:
Warning, In Case Of Rapture, This Car Will Be Unmanned!
Other Comments by BMMcArdle
15. Comment #87625 by Shuggy on November 12, 2007 at 4:01 pm
BMMcArdle:What's next, a Rapture feature for Christians that automatically puts on the car's emergency flashers and slows it to a stop when it is suddenly unmanned?And maybe a sunroof that pops from the inside? I seem to remember Rapturists (Dispensationalists? Tribulationalists?) believe in a physical rising (suggesting they are also Ptolomeicists and geoplanarians).
When I was younger I would see bumper stickers that said:Have I got a bumpersticker (http://www.cafepress.com/wero.61071022) (and a numberplate holder - http://www.cafepress.com/wero.61071023) for you!
Warning, In Case Of Rapture, This Car Will Be Unmanned!
Other Comments by Shuggy
16. Comment #87631 by Scott McMeekin on November 12, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Why wait for Proton's attempt?! For anyone interested, I have access to a wide range of Muslim cars I could sell to you for a premium! All come with a glove er... Quran compartment, and adequate scarf space in any of the four dookets er... "hijab" holders, one for each door!Orders on a postcard to the usual address.
We all know that sex sells anything world-wide. Are we now saying that where it won't, religion will do the same? Praise be to the profit margin!
Scott.
Other Comments by Scott McMeekin
17. Comment #87633 by RickM on November 12, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Martyr option: Explosive storage compartments including electrical ignition system with chrome button on dash labeled "Martyrdom". (Explosives available for nominal extra cost) Other Comments by RickM
18. Comment #87637 by Barbara on November 12, 2007 at 4:40 pm
The following is a made-up advertisement.Protons new "Islamic car" will come equipped with an automatic body scanner to determine the gender of its occupants. The scanner can determine whether a female occupant is properly covered. When an unacceptable amount of skin is exposed a preprogramed number of stones will be automatically lobbed at the offending female. This feature will come standard on all models. Praise Allah.
Other Comments by Barbara
19. Comment #87644 by Crazymalc on November 12, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Why on earth would you need a compass pointing to Mecca? So you could prostate yourself and pray mid trip? A little dangerous to do while you are driving methinks.Reminds me of my flight on Brunei Airlines and the similar level of stoopidity:
http://www.crazymalc.co.nz/2007/Apr/07Apr/07Apr.htm
Other Comments by Crazymalc
20. Comment #87656 by Mercury on November 12, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Does it come with a standard "bomb-compartment" under the bonnet or is that an optional extra?Other Comments by Mercury
21. Comment #87662 by The Schuermannator on November 12, 2007 at 6:20 pm
And I guess a car designed for atheists would mean we'd be walking where we wanted to go?Matt
Other Comments by The Schuermannator
22. Comment #87670 by Edanator on November 12, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Proton is a company with lousy economy, poor management, and naive goals. The company was created in the 80's to promote Malay identity. It has been kept alive for 20 years by oil money and government subsidies but with the oil wells drying up, the government has finally realized that they cannot continue to burn money at the current rate. The Muslim car is just a a desperate act from a doomed company...I think Airbus has a better chance to become a success in the Middle East. At least as long as the Saudi princes are free to spend the oil money any way they please:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/21751216
(Should I take the Boeing 747 or my new Airbus A380 to Paris?)
Other Comments by Edanator
23. Comment #87680 by athegan on November 12, 2007 at 8:14 pm
A real breakthrough in car manufacturing and industry...A place to keep a book and a piece of clothes!!! Is that really a priority for the Muslim world? Can't they somehow see that they have bigger problems to solve!!! Other Comments by athegan
24. Comment #87681 by JanChan on November 12, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Where in the world can you a compass that points towards a specific part of the world at all times (except the North/South pole)? Unless GPS is involved, but then that isn't exactly in the world.Other Comments by JanChan
25. Comment #87687 by mmurray on November 12, 2007 at 9:05 pm
So you could prostate yourself and
I hope you mean prostrate -- otherwise I am not sure what prostate yourself means ...
By the way why does it have a compass and not GPS ? How do you use a compass to find Mecca ? Surely you have to know where you are before the compass bearing is any use. What happens if you are at the antipodal point to Mecca -- guess you can pray in any direction.
(OK wiki answered my question you have to know where you are to know the bearing relative to north.)
Michael
Other Comments by mmurray
26. Comment #87699 by dlitt on November 12, 2007 at 10:28 pm
"Their" women will need to be able to drive it from the back seat. Other Comments by dlitt
27. Comment #87706 by Deicide on November 12, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Christian cars are easier to engineer, of course. all you need is a dashboard Jesus and maybe a cross to hang from the mirror. Clearly the muslim world is behind the times in finally getting their own vehicles.Other Comments by Deicide
28. Comment #87712 by Zzyx1170 on November 12, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Crazymalc said: Why on earth would you need a compass pointing to Mecca?According to sharia, you're not allowed to fart when facing towards or away from Mecca. All farts must be directed perpendicular to the direction of Mecca. So they need the compass to know when it's safe to fart without going to hell for farting in the wrong direction.
Other Comments by Zzyx1170
29. Comment #87714 by BaronOchs on November 13, 2007 at 12:51 am
The showed us a prayer mat with built in compass when I was at school. They come with a booklet of bearings from various cities and places. Other Comments by BaronOchs
30. Comment #87715 by atheist_peace on November 13, 2007 at 12:52 am
There's already a company making cars for freethinkers and rationalists:http://www.teslamotors.com/
Other Comments by atheist_peace
31. Comment #87721 by Northern Bright on November 13, 2007 at 1:01 am
It's going to be pretty dangerous driving this car. After all, you can't see much through a blacked out windscreen with just one see-through area 8cms wide by 2cms deep. Other Comments by Northern Bright
32. Comment #87722 by Goldy on November 13, 2007 at 1:06 am
The only reason for it is so Jeremy Clarkson can't do this without some fatwa put against him...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBnWxva8NyE&NR=1
Other Comments by Goldy
33. Comment #87735 by Dinah on November 13, 2007 at 2:07 am
Presumably, the seats will be designed to tip over so that the occupants can point their rear ends Allah-wards at prayer-ful times of day.Other Comments by Dinah
34. Comment #87736 by mmurray on November 13, 2007 at 2:08 am
For those interested here is what the compass is about:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qibla_compass
Michael
Other Comments by mmurray
35. Comment #87740 by Sharrow on November 13, 2007 at 2:19 am
I know it's bad taste....and I am not sure if it's already been written....But does it has a special compartment underneath for the Cemtex in case the owner feels the urge to become a martre mid-journey? There might be a really juicy group of infidels by the road...Or would that affect the resale value?
Other Comments by Sharrow
36. Comment #87741 by Sharrow on November 13, 2007 at 2:20 am
Will the sat-nav automatically list the best routes to paradis and the 70 virgin (dates)? Other Comments by Sharrow
37. Comment #87742 by Philip1978 on November 13, 2007 at 2:37 am
Sharrow I think it would be rather funny when the voice on it says "After the next Bomb going off you are going to Paradise/Hell!"
Other Comments by Philip1978
38. Comment #87770 by Bonzai on November 13, 2007 at 4:21 am
This is the definitive proof of evolution. Only a partially evolved ape brain can be so stupid.Other Comments by Bonzai
39. Comment #87771 by Roger Stanyard on November 13, 2007 at 4:34 am
LOL!!!It all sounds like a British Leyland/Rover Group marketing ploy of a near-bankrupt car company trying to find new wheezes to sell their second-rate products.
Anyone got any ideas as to what an atheist's car might involve?
Or, for that matter, a Buddhist or a Jewish car?
Better still an American fundamentalist's car?
Roger Stanyard
Other Comments by Roger Stanyard
40. Comment #87772 by steve99 on November 13, 2007 at 4:37 am
Better still an American fundamentalist's car?
Well, obviously it would have to be a convertible, with Rapture-sensitive roof.
Other Comments by steve99
41. Comment #87773 by Bonzai on November 13, 2007 at 4:42 am
Or, for that matter, a Buddhist or a Jewish car?
Now a Jewish car is an idea. It can be preprogrammed to start and drive itself on the Sabbath. There is some high tech AI stuffs involved
Other Comments by Bonzai
42. Comment #87778 by Peacebeuponme on November 13, 2007 at 4:51 am
Looks like McGrath is ready to go another round:http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/sue_blackmore/2007/11/a_dangerous_delusion.html
Other Comments by Peacebeuponme
43. Comment #87788 by Philip1978 on November 13, 2007 at 6:06 am
Looks like people are having all sorts of car trouble...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7091904.stm
What a stupid bugger!
Philip
Other Comments by Philip1978
44. Comment #87790 by scottishgeologist on November 13, 2007 at 6:16 am
PhilipYeah, I saw that one - what a cracker!
Just missed a Darwin award by the sounds of things
Almost as bad as the Turk, several years ago, who tried to remove a tooth by shooting it out with a handgun. Killed himself....
Other Comments by scottishgeologist
45. Comment #87791 by Fedler on November 13, 2007 at 6:18 am
This, of course, sets a precedent. Let's have all the Roman Catholics get a car modeled after the Pope-mobile - a big block of bullet-proof glass surrounding the top and all the guilt you want at the push of a button. The spare altar boy in the trunk is yours to play with as you see fit. Other Comments by Fedler
46. Comment #87796 by Philip1978 on November 13, 2007 at 6:54 am
FedlerRemember that car would have to have an immobiliser fitted in so the driver cannot set off without genuflecting. Plus seats which are impossible to commit sin in as per instructions of Darth himself! :)
Philip
Other Comments by Philip1978
47. Comment #87799 by Fedler on November 13, 2007 at 7:15 am
Philip,Good point. I'm waiting for the clash between the bomb-laden Muslim car and the bullet-proof Pope-mobile. That's a demolition derby I want to see!
Other Comments by Fedler
48. Comment #87807 by irate_atheist on November 13, 2007 at 7:45 am
Right. That's it. I am never, ever, buying a Proton. (Not that I would anyway, you understand?)Companies that pamper to this sort of bronze age fuckwittery are not deserving of our custom.
Other Comments by irate_atheist
49. Comment #87818 by Veronique on November 13, 2007 at 8:40 am
This seems as good a thread as any:-)We understand that male suicide bombers are considered Muslim martyrs, go to Paradise and have 72 virgins available for their (the martyrs') delectable pleasure, right?
What can female suicide bombers hope to achieve by their martyrdom and transport to Paradise?
I love the BS
V
Other Comments by Veronique
50. Comment #87821 by scottishgeologist on November 13, 2007 at 9:04 am
Hah! Remember the Polo advert featuring a car bomber:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbcADoSz9bg
Brilliant!
Oh yeah, theres an article about Clarkson slagging off another Malaysian car:
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/news/article1618049.ece
You know, I have never heard him talking about it, but something tells me that Jeremy Clarkson on religion would be very funny...
Other Comments by scottishgeologist
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1. Comment #87581 by technogogo on November 12, 2007 at 2:20 pm
From the description though, I don't think there is much to appeal. I'm guessing that many muslims will already have a compass to point to mecca. They may also be cautious about taking their koran out in their car - I thought they kept them at home in a safe place where they cannot get dirty? Anyway, most cars nowadays have different storage areas.
So whats left that makes this car uniquely appeal to muslims? some kind of branding appeal? but isn't that a bit like idolatry?
I think this idea could seriously backfire!
Other Comments by technogogo