2017- Year in Review

The year 2017 is nearing its end. A lot of development took place as the Auto Policy 2016-21 continued to cast its affect on the industry. We take a month-wise recap of what happened in 2017 both in terms of domestic as well as international perspective.

January

The year 2017 kicked off with 6th generation Honda City facelift revealed in international markets..

2017 Honda City Facelift- This is it!

Mitsubishi announced to discontinue the Lancer globally due to dwindling sales and the global shift of buyer preference towards crossovers and SUVs.

Mitsubishi to End Lancer Production in August

Toyota Vitz facelift was launched in Japan with Hybrid option.

2017 Toyota Vitz Facelift Launched in Japan

Toyota Vios facelift was launched in Thailand.

2017 Toyota Vios Facelift Launched in Thailand

Pak Suzuki finally announced to discontinue the Cultus after 17 years of production run.

Pak Suzuki Officially Discontinues Cultus

February

South Korean automaker Kia unveiled the new generation Picanto hatchback for international markets.

Kia Unveils the 3rd Generation Picanto

Honda Civic with 1.0 Turbocharged engine was exclusively launched in China.

The 1.0L Turbo Civic Launched in China

Years after the demise of Liana, Pak Suzuki introduces the Ciaz in Pakistan marking their comeback in the sedan segment.

Pak Suzuki Officially Launches the Ciaz Sedan

While the world saw the farewell of Mitsubishi Lancer, it was given a new life in the east as the Grand Lancer was unveiled.

2017 Mitsubishi Grand Lancer – This is it!

March

CNCAP (China New Car Assessment Program) tests world’s first ever car-to-car collision..

C-NCAP Tests World’s First 90 Degrees Car-to-Car Collision

Toyota began testing the next generation Corolla.

2019 Toyota Corolla Spied Testing in Cold Weather

April

Pak Suzuki added Immobilizer to Suzuki Mehran..

Suzuki Mehran Now Comes With Immobilizer

Honda brings another facelift to the 5th generation City.

Honda Pakistan Introduces Cosmetic Changes to the City Sedan

Pak Suzuki launched new Cultus (Celerio) hatchback in Pakistan.

https://www.carspiritpk.com/pak-suzuki-officially-launches-new-cultus-celerio-pakistan/

May

Toyota claims world’s fastest SUV title with their 370kph #LandSpeedCruiser.

Toyota Claims ‘World’s Fastest SUV’ Title

All-electric NIO EP9 from China becomes the fastest car at Nürburgring.

All-Electric NIO EP9 Beats Lamborghini Huracan Performante’s Nurburgring Time

June

Govt granted permission to three companies to set up manufacturing plants under Greenfield investment category.

Three Companies Get Approval to Establish Car Assembly Plants in Pakistan

Due to alleged fuel compatibility issues, Honda Atlas stopped 1.5 turbo Civic bookings as the production was (temporarily) halted.

Honda Stops Accepting Civic 1.5L Turbo Bookings

July

Suzuki Swift Hybrid was launched in Japan with claimed economy figures of 30 km in a liter.

Suzuki Swift Hybrid launched in Japan, Goes 32.0 Km per Liter

August

The most unsuccessful launch in the history of Pakistan was made by HRL when they launched the once cheapest car in China, the Zotye Z100 at PKR 11.72 lac here in Pakistan. After nearly 5 months the company is yet to get a single dealership for its vehicles.

Is Zotye Z100 Destined To Be A Flop?

3 years after the 11th generation was introduced, IMC launched the Toyota Corolla facelift in Pakistan.

Indus Motors Officially Launches 2017 Toyota Corolla Facelift

Honda Atlas brought yet another facelift to 5th gen City.

Oligopoly Wins- Honda Atlas Keeps the 5th Gen City Alive!

Local assembling of FAW V2 started..

Local Assembled FAW V2 Launched

September

The all-new Suzuki Swift Sport was unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show.

All New Swift Sport Unveiled at 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show

The impressive Mitsubishi Xpander MPV debuted in Indonesia to take on the likes of Honda BR-V.

The All-New Mitsubishi Xpander 7 Seater MPV

Foton Tunland pickup was refreshed in China.

2017 Foton Tunland With Refreshed Interior Launched in China

October

Geely of China officially acquired Proton & Lotus

Geely Officially Buys Lotus

Maruti Celerio facelift was launched in India..

Suzuki Celerio Facelift Launched in India at INR 4.15 lac

Suzuki Ciaz facelift (Alivio Pro) was launched in China..

Suzuki Alivio Pro (Ciaz Facelift) launched in China

Toyota Axio & Fielder facelift was launched in Japan..

2018 Toyota Corolla Axio and Fielder Refresh Officially Revealed

Isuzu D-MAX facelift was launched in Thailand. The D-MAX is set to make its debut in Pakistan by April 2018.

2018 Isuzu D-Max Facelift Officially Revealed in Thailand

KIA vehicles were spotted for the first time testing near Hyderabad.

KIA Vehicles Spotted Testing

FAW R7 SUV which is scheduled for a 2019 launch in Pakistan was caught testing for the first time in Karachi.

FAW R7 SUV Spotted Testing in Karachi

November

Koenigsegg Agera RS smashed Bugatti Chiron’s record within days to officially become the world’s fastest car.

457 km/h- The Agera RS is officially the World’s Fastest Car

Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Ltd. filed a complaint that fuel suppliers including Shell, Total as well as PSO had added manganese to their gasoline which is affecting their engines.

Honda Says Fuel from Shell, Total and PSO Harms its Engines

Renault with Al-Futtaim of UAE announced its entry in Pakistan.

Renault Officially Announces it’s Entry in Pakistan

Sazgar, the makers of CNG rickshaws announced stepping in vehicle manufacturing.

Sazgar Partners with Chinese Automaker to Assemble Vehicles in Pakistan

December

Lamborghini Urus, dubbed as the world’s fastest SUV made its global debut.

Lamborghini Urus Debuts As The World’s Fastest SUV

Pak Suzuki launched Cultus VXL with Auto Gear Shift and Mega Carry Extra.

Pak Suzuki Cultus Automatic Launched at PKR 15.28 lac, Mega Carry at PKR 14.99 lac

The crossover version of Celerio called as CelerioX was launched in India

Suzuki CelerioX launched in India at INR 4.57 lac

Pak Suzuki unveiled its plan to replace Mehran while IMC to replace 1300cc Corolla with Vios.

Alto 660cc, Toyota Vios and Honda Brio To Be Launched in 2018/19

Renderings of next generation Toyota Corolla surfaced

2019 Toyota Corolla Rendered by Japanese Media

Ground breaking ceremony of Hyundai-Nishat plant in Faisalabad was commenced.

Official Groundbreaking Ceremony of Hyundai-Nishat Assembly Plant

The Ministry of Industries and Production allowed Khalid Mushtaq Motors to set up a vehicle assembly and manufacturing unit in Nooriabad industrial area under the Greenfield investment category.

Khalid Mushtaq Motors To Set Up Vehicle Assembly Plant

Kia signs agreement with government for the production of passenger and light commercial vehicles in Pakistan.

KIA Officially Signs Agreement with Ministry of Industries & Production

Pictures of United Motors’ 800cc Mehran look-alike went viral as the company plans to introduce the clone once the Pak Suzuki Mehran goes out of production in 2018.

United Motors 800cc Car is a Suzuki Mehran Look Alike!

 

 

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