The Auto Show Comes To Karachi

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2015 Camry, Automobile Art Exhibition, Ayesha Shaikh, car enthusiasts, Chevrolets, Cholistan Jeep Rally, Expo Centre, Ferrari Formula One concept car, Ford Mustangs, heavy bikes, Jhal Magsi Desert Challenge, Karachi Auto Show, Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Evolution, Nadir Magsi, off roaders, Pak-Suzuki, PakWheels, rear mounted cameras, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Ronnie Patel, SUVs, Swift, test drive, Toyota, Toyota Vigo, traction control, vintage beauties, Wagon-R, wooden canvas-covered body work

Heads up car enthusiasts! After successful shows in Lahore and Islamabad earlier in the year, the second edition of the Karachi Auto Show will begin today at the Expo Centre organised by PakWheels. The Show promises to be the largest of its kind, with more than 500 vehicles on display.

Show stoppers include vintage beauties from the 1950s and 1960s – restored and refurbished – that will transport you to an era when cars boasted wooden, canvas-covered body work. A few that merit mention are stately Chevrolets, exquisite luxury saloons, powerful Ford Mustangs and a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Several leading automobile manufacturers – including Pak Suzuki and Toyota – will have a presence there, showcasing their new-to-market luxury cars, SUVs, off roaders and even a few heavy bikes, all equipped with the latest technological advancements such as traction control and rear mounted cameras. You will also get exclusive previews and the chance to test drive highly anticipated models that are not yet in the market, including the 2015 Camry, Swift and Wagon-R.

Outlook: Pakistan’s Automobile Industry In 2014

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000 workers, 400, affordability, AIDP, Automobile Industry Development Programme, benefit, built-up cars, cheaper, economy, free trade, FY 2014-15, importers, India, industry leaders, liberalising, lobbying, local parts makers, manufacturing base, market leader, Maruti Suzuki, Mazhar M Chinoy, multi-million rupee, PAAPAM, Pak-Suzuki, Pakistan Association Of Automotive Parts And Assemblers, parts, policy makers, production, profits, sales, taxation, trade, vehicles

For many weeks, industry leaders have been huddling with policy makers in government to try and chalk out an increasingly elusive ‘win-win’ situation as the basis of a new Automobile Industry Development Programme (AIDP). The process has been tedious, with the government swayed by the powerful lobbying of car importers. No policy has come forth as yet and uncertainty is rife.

There are rifts within the industry as well. The Pakistan Association Of Automotive Parts And Assemblers (PAAPAM) is against liberalising trade with India, given that greater imports of cheaper parts from India is more likely to occur, rather than of built-up cars, thereby eating into profits of local parts makers. The case for free trade with India is led by the current market leader Pak Suzuki which seeks to benefit directly by importing parts from an equally large Maruti-Suzuki in India. PAAPAM fears this will put its 400,000 workers and a multi-million rupee industry into irreversible peril.

 

Pakistan’s Best Selling Cars in 2012

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2012, Altis, Atlas Honda, Auto Industry Development Plan, Corolla, Cultus, Daihatsu Cuore, Euro II emission standards, first generation Alto, Gli, India, Indus Motors, locally manufactured cars, Mehran, Pak-Suzuki, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association, Pakistan’s auto history, sales reports, Shayan Shakeel PAMA, Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Mehran, Toyota, Toyota Corolla, used car imports; auto industry, Xli

The ambitious Auto Industry Development Plan, adoption of Euro II emission standards, trade negotiations with India and the phenomenon of used car imports; clearly it has been an eventful year for the auto industry. However, it is the sales reports from the year that reveal the most about perceptions of locally manufactured cars in the industry.

December’s statistics haven’t been compiled yet, but according to the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association, Pakistan’s bestselling car since 2008 is the Toyota Corolla. It comes in three versions, the Xli, Gli and Altis, each offering significant differences in transmission (automatic/manual) and engine size (1.3-1.8 litres), with price levels that appeal to consumers in the middle-upper income strata. Other reasons for its success are Toyota’s reputation for safety as well as tremendous resale value (often retaining 65% of its original cost). Price range for a new Corolla: Rs 1.5-2.2 million.