Because we live in a third-world market where policies and regulations on the auto sector and consumer welfare are non-existent, cars assembled in Pakistan not only lack basic features and safety equipment available elsewhere, but are also introduced once done from the rest of the world and are frequently dragged for an extended period of time once launched.
We can’t expect the same level of technology and international quality standards in locally produced cars at this time because the local auto sector is still in its infancy.
What’s amazing is that there are countless cases of cars being presented here after being overtaken by a later generation model or simply abandoned elsewhere.
On other occasions, even if a car was released on time, it was extended for an unreasonably lengthy amount of time during which the model in the rest of the globe was either replaced with a newer generation or given a facelift while the outmoded one remained on the market in Pakistan.
Surprisingly, around 17 worldwide retired cars are currently being sold in Pakistan as ‘new.’
While the majority of these vehicles are offered by incumbent automakers (the Big Three), roughly half were introduced by newcomers who were meant to provide healthy competition in the market.
Bolan and Ravi, as well as Cultus, Wagon R, and Alto, are among Pak Suzuki’s outdated models. Toyota has been dragging both the 11th generation Corolla and the pre-facelift Yaris vehicle. Honda sells both the globally obsolete 6th Generation City and an old BR-V here.
In terms of newbies, Kia sells four locally built automobiles in Pakistan, three of them are old models.
Hyundai’s two out of every three locally built passenger vehicles are globally retired models. United’s two offers are outmoded, whilst Regal’s single offering is an obsolete model.
There is a visual depiction of outmoded cars for sale in Pakistan, as well as the most recent model available in other countries.
(2nd gen Honda BR-V while we get the 1st gen)
(2nd gen Suzuki Celerio while we get the 1st gen (Cultus))
(3rd gen Picanto while we get the 2nd gen model)
(4th gen Hyundai Tucson in India while we get the 3rd gen)
(4th gen Kia Sorento while we get the 3rd gen)
(5th gen Kia Sportage while we get the 4th gen)
(7th gen Honda City while we get the 6th gen)
(7th gen Hyundai Elantra while we get the 6th gen)
(12th gen Toyota Corolla while we get the 11th gen)
(All-new Yaris while we are yet to get a facelift of the previous generation model)
(Current Wagon-R while we get the obsolete one)
(Latest generation Carry pickup while we get a 42-years old model)
(Prince Pearl is another obsolete model on sale)
(Suzuki Alto is in 9th generation in Japan)
Mainstream Chinese companies such as Changan, MG, DFSK, BAIC, Haval, Chery, and Malaysian Proton (which is owned by Geely) are all selling up-to-date models, with none of them being obsolete. Similarly, Peugeot’s sole offering in Pakistan is identical to the one marketed elsewhere in the world.
To read our blog on “Tata is dominating India’s market for electric vehicles,” click here
