Exclusive Women's Car to Roll Out on Women's Day 2009 in Iran

Iran's biggest motor manufacturer, Iran Khodro ,has decided to take the country's gender sensitivity to new levels by producing a car especially for women.

Iran's biggest motor manufacturer has decided to take the country's gender sensitivity to new levels by producing a car especially for women.

According to a report appearing in The Guardian, the car will be fitted with features common on the international market but seen as female-specific in Iran's male-dominated culture.

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It will have an automatic gearbox, electronic parking aids, a navigation system and a jack designed to make it easier to change a wheel, suggesting that women drivers lack the mechanical competence of their male counterparts.

Alarms may also be installed to warn of flat tires. The vehicle will be painted in soft "feminine" colours and include interior designs tailored to women's tastes. There will also be audiovisual entertainment systems for child passengers.

Iran Khodro, the state-backed manufacturer, said it would put the first models on sale next June to coincide with Women's Day in Iran.

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The car will be part of the Samand range, which has been exported to allied countries such as Syria and Venezuela. However, the women's car will initially be aimed solely at the Iranian domestic market.

Vahid Najafi, managing director of Iran Khodro's order unit, said the design was prompted by a sharp increase in women drivers and car owners and was based on research into their preferences and needs. Cars will be built in response to orders from customers.

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The idea is in line with gender separation officially encouraged by Iran's Islamic authorities.

Last year they backed a proposal for a female bicycle designed to conceal the rider's legs and upper body. Women are discouraged from cycling, mainly to preserve notions of female modesty, and are banned from riding motorcycles, except as passengers.