This is one industry which is thriving in Pakistan… I recently heard an interview of Dewan M. Farooque, the MD of DFML. He said that DFML would assemble BMW from 2005.
I heard from many sources that a new Chinese car is to be introduced soon in Pakistan that would cost around Rs. 150,000 - 200,000. Can anyone provide more details as to when it will be introduced and what’s the makers name?
Is another drop in car prices expected?? The recent one was a rather paltry one!
Are we talking matchbox cars here?....Well it would be a start anyway.
Never heard of BMW coming to Pakistan. The lowly Honda Civic costs 1.3 million Rupees in Pakistan. How much do you think a BMW will cost? The brand name alone will cost you 1.5 million.
I just came across this. You were RIGHT!!!
Can you tell us what model exaclty he was refering to? 3, 5 or 7 series? :eek:
http://www.dawn.com/2003/06/11/ebr16.htm
What happened to Fiat?
South Asian Business Analyst
KARACHI, September 28 (SABA)—The Italian automobile manufacturing company, Fiat, has planned to set up a car-manufacturing project in Pakistan. Officials said that a proposal by the Italian Car Company to invest US$50 million initially in a manufacturing project is awaiting go-ahead signal from the Ministry of Industries.
Fiat is piece of crap, why would Pakistan wants Fiat?
I think Pakistan is focusing on South Korean cars, I think they are trying to get TOT so they can be manufacture completely in Pakistan, including Engine & Transmission. I heard about Iranian & Chinese cars but I think those are just rumors.
FIAT already has an assembling plant in Landhi, Karachi. They’ve set-up the plant in collaboration with Raja Motors and are assembling FIAT UNO (1700CC Diesel) - a not-so-good lookin’ hatchback. But from what I’ve heard, it seems the UNO hasn’t been that successful in Pakistan… there could be two reasons for that. (1) UNO is crap. (2) Other car manufacturers esp. from Japan are working against it (UNO is only the second “Diesel” car available in Pakistan and is many-folds cheaper than Corolla 20D).
As for updates on that Chinese-made car… I managed to get some more information. The name of the car is in chinese so don’t know what it is… all I know is that it’s a 2-door 600CC CNG (no AC) car and would cost only Rs. 95,000. Some say it is 2-seater not 2-door. I’ve also heard that the govt. is forcing the chinese car company to increase its price to Rs. 125,000 and the cars are lying at the karachi port… don’t know if that’s true though.
I heard Dewan M. Yousaf Farooqui’s interview on TV in which he announced it. He didn’t mention anything regarding the model series but
I doubt it’ll be 7-series… I heard long back ago that 3-series was to be assembled in Pakistan (but that was way too long ago). DFML got the dealership for BMW and they’ll initally import BMWs but would then start assembling them locally from the end of 2005. Toyota Camry costs Rs. 1.7 million in India (and it is imported not assembled there), now that can give you an idea how much a BMW will cost here - maybe over 2.5 million (dunno!!)
Dewan Yousaf also announced another 4WD car - comparable to Land Cruiser. KIA Sportage SUV is already available for Rs. 1.55 million… wonder how much will the new 4WD cost if it’s bigger than Sportage.
Great news about BMW. I only hope that Dewan Farooq imports the whole automatic assembly line rather than having manual assemble as is done for Civics and Corollas. I hear that is the reason for the squeaks and rattles in Pakistan assembled cars. BMW has its image on stake, so lets hope for the best.
B/w any news on duty reduction on imported cars after WTO regime comes into force in 2005? You sound like a person who keeps an eye on the local auto industry. :k:
Fiat Uno is failed becuase
1. thats very old model they have started assembling in pak. and i heard its the old plant that used to make Uno old model is shifted to Pak.
So italian had to get rid of that anyway cause of new model. the current model of uno is different and up to date in europe.
its not the cost of brand, its price of quality. who has the money will buy it! and one who can afford to buy new civic or corolla most of them have the purchansing power to buy BMW 3 series standard models
I dont think BMW will sacrifce on quality, so it will be same as in germany.
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*Originally posted by Shak killS: *
I dont think BMW will sacrifce on quality, so it will be same as in germany.
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amen to that brother.:biggthumb
I do keep close watch on Pak Auto-Industry… Although it’s a rather lame one (with waiting periods exceeding over 2 years in some cases and premiums over 10% of the price) but still it’s something I’m really interested in…
As far as duty reduction after 2005 is concerned, there are chances that Pak government might try to request more time from WTO for the Auto-Industry - but only time will tell if that’ll happen. Waisay if the government is forced to reduce the duty rates, then the local industry is bound to suffer - but consumers like myself wouldn’t mind that! (shayed). The monopoly of local auto-industry (especially Japenese Car makers) in Pakistan should end!
As for news on that Chinese built car. It seems no one in Lahore knows anything about it. Some dealers think it’s a hoax… whatever it may be, the thought of such a cheap car has made many people really excited about it (including me). Hope the car comes soon. But personally, I think the car will be target of politics as it happened when Kyrgistan (spell?) was about to export a cheap car (comparable to Suzuki Khyber for just Rs. 150,000). A model was on display in a showroom here for a few months but then suddenly it disappeared! <anyone has any news on that?>
I don't think Fiat Uno failed because of this reason, look at Suzuki Cultus - it too is a very old model (it used to come with a different name back in early 90s - I think that name was 'Firefly', can't recall correctly).
As for BMW, if people here can afford to buy a brand new imported Honda Accord for Rs. 4.7 million and Mercedes S600 for Rs. 12.5 million - then BMW for a paltry 2.0 - 2.5 million wouldn't be a problem. Right?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Shak killS: *
Fiat Uno is failed becuase
1. thats very old model they have started assembling in pak. and i heard its the old plant that used to make Uno old model is shifted to Pak.
So italian had to get rid of that anyway cause of new model. the current model of uno is different and up to date in europe.
its not the cost of brand, its price of quality. who has the money will buy it! and one who can afford to buy new civic or corolla most of them have the purchansing power to buy BMW 3 series standard models
I dont think BMW will sacrifce on quality, so it will be same as in germany.
[/QUOTE]
I have owned Honda Accord’s all my life and am a big Honda fan. Accord is 2003 Japan Car of the Year, by the way.
Is this what you’re talking about? :eek:
Didn’t know anyone had the new model in Pakistan, except for the Pakistan cricket Board. They used it to transport its players to Gadaffi Stadium for the big “send off” :rolleyes:
Top of the line Accord in Japan has so many technologies, it puts s600 to shame. It even has a gadget which steers the car back onto the road, if the driver starts to lose control (drinking prob. in western hemisphere? )
plus, Intelligent cruise control, Keyless entry and car start, dual climate control, cameras in front and rear bumpers..and what not.
man, what I wouldnt do to sit in one of those. :teary3:
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*Originally posted by Mughal-e-Azam: *
I don't think Fiat Uno failed because of this reason, look at Suzuki Cultus - it too is a very old model
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The Suzuki cultus sold in Pakistan is the same model and specification as the Suzuki Swift currently sold in the UK. It is a downright awful car - had one for about 3 years and was glad to get rid of it.
Yup, the same model! It costs Rs. 4.7 million here. Not many people have it though… waisay some even have a BMW 7 series. Wonder how much that costs!
Cultus might be an awful car in a country where you have lots to choose from but here in Pakistan, it's quite successful. (though has a very noisy engine and heats up quickly).
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*Originally posted by mAd_ScIeNtIsT: *
The Suzuki cultus sold in Pakistan is the same model and specification as the Suzuki Swift currently sold in the UK. It is a downright awful car - had one for about 3 years and was glad to get rid of it.
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by mAd_ScIeNtIsT: *
The Suzuki cultus sold in Pakistan is the same model and specification as the Suzuki Swift currently sold in the UK. It is a downright awful car - had one for about 3 years and was glad to get rid of it.
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Tell me about it, bought it and sold it in one week!!! Woh bhi nuksaan me
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*Originally posted by Spock: *
Tell me about it, bought it and sold it in one week!!! Woh bhi nuksaan me
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why everyone blamiing cultus! here, its previous model which is stil in prodcution in pak as kheyber was a successfull model and still is.
so cultus has been successfull what you think. if not the new model
12.5 million? r u guys hoking how much is that in pounds