A car to be jointly made by Iran, Malaysia and Turkey will be launched in 2011, the head of the Middle East's biggest carmaker and partner in the project, Iran Khodro, said.

Chief executive and president of the partly state-owned Iranian company Manouchehr Manteghi said Islamic countries would be behind all the investment and production.

Malaysia's Proton chief executive, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, said in November the three countries would develop the car with Islamic features such as a compass to determine the direction of Makkah. But Tahir 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 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.

His remarks were originally carried by Iranian media and later confirmed to Reuters by Iran Khodro officials.

Manteghi said his firm, which produced more than 525,000 cars and pick-up trucks in 2006/07, was chosen by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to lead the project.

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.

Iran Khodro has partnerships with global carmakers, such as a joint venture with France's Renault to make the no-frills Logan, sold in Iran as the Tondar-90.

It also makes vehicle models such as Peugeot's 206 and 405 and Suzuki Motor Corporation's Grand Vitara.--TradeArabia News Service