The City Has Become Honda’s Cultus

Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL), a joint venture between Honda Motor Company Limited Japan, and the Atlas Group of Companies, Pakistan was incorporated in November 1992 & their first vehicle, the 5^th gen Honda Civic with a 1500cc carburetor engine rolled off the assembly line in May 1994.

Since the beginning HACPL was pioneers in introducing modern technology, newer vehicles, as well as timely updating their product lineup. HACPL was the first among the local assemblers to roll out a fuel injected vehicle, the first to introduce VTi engine, the first to offer sunroof in locally assembled cars, the first to offer ABS, and the first to introduce facelifts etc.

While other two assemblers, Pak Suzuki and Indus motors were dragging their models for several years, HACPL maintained a tradition of introducing a newer model/ facelift after every three years in Pakistan.

Related: Honda City SX8- The Game Changer

After the production started in 1994, the 5^th generation Civic was replaced with the 6^th gen in 1996. Almost 3 years later in January 1999 the Civic facelift was launched. The 7^th gen Civic was launched in March 2001 and approx 3 years later the 7^th gen facelift (a.k.a. Eagle Eye) was launched in 2004. The 8^th gen Civic was launched in July 2006 maintaining the 3 year track record of Honda.

The Honda City SX8 which was introduced in January 1997 was updated with a facelift in January 2000. 3 years later in August 2003 the new City iDSI was launched, and was updated with a facelift in 2006, again maintaining the 3 year cycle. While on 31^st January 2009 the City iDSI was replaced with the 5^th gen City iVTEC.

Related: 2017 Honda City Facelift Walk-Around [Video]

Since 2006, however Honda lost its tradition to be pioneers in updating their models in Pakistan. The 8^th gen Civic went without a facelift for more than 6 years before being replaced by the 9^th gen Civic in 2012. The 5^th gen City facelift that was supposed to launch in 2012 arrived in 2014 and continues to sell here despite in its 9^th year of production in our country. It is the longest production life for any locally assembled Honda model.

One of the core reasons behind a stretchy period of the 5^th gen City is the absence of competition. Ever since the City arrived in our market, it was up against some sort of competition in different times, be it Margalla, Baleno or the Liana. However after 2009, the Liana was already out of the competition as it was selling around a dozen units a month and hence there was no real threat for the 5^th gen Honda City.

Around the world the 5^th gen Honda City was replaced with the 6^th generation in 2013. This sixth gen City after completing nearly 4 years of its life was updated with a facelift earlier this year. The 6^th gen City was already a huge improvement over the older 5^th gen that we still get here in terms of styling, suspension, ride quality, improved NVH levels, value features, and fuel economy. However after the introduction of 6^th gen facelift, the City has become even better than before. It receives new LED headlamps with bolder LED DRLs, redesigned chrome grille, a new bumper design with 3-part intake and fog lamps, new 16-inch alloy rims and a re-profiled rear bumper. On equipment, the new City gets a new 7-inch touch-screen system with navigation, browser and phone link, sunroof, and six airbags.

It’s a pity that such a successful car was never considered to be brought here by Atlas Honda. They have been dragging the 5^th gen City with worthless updates following the footsteps of Pak Suzuki, thus tarnishing their own image which might create problems for Honda in future. Pakistan currently is the only country in the world where the 5^th gen City is still being sold.

Related: 2017 Honda City Facelift Launched in India, Priced from INR 8.5 Lac

The City has been a huge success in our market ever since, from the 3^rd gen SX8 in 1997, the 4^th gen iDSI in 2003 or the 5^th gen iVTEC in 2009, while the 6^th gen City has the potential to become even more successful but as long as the 5^th gen City sells well, who cares to bring the new one in? Long live Honda’s Cultus!

UsmanAnsari

A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com