The year 2019 is about to end. It will probably be remembered as the year of massive price hikes and declining sales. Due to the constantly increasing car prices & additional duties & taxes, the auto industry took a major blow with key players observing plant shutdowns for several days in a month.
Apart from car prices & dwindling sales, a lot of development took place as the Auto Policy 2016-21 continued to cast its affect on the industry & few new products were introduced in the market. We take a month-wise recap of what happened in year 2019 both from domestic as well as international perspective.
January
Year 2019 started with Pak Suzuki increasing the prices of its cars effective from 1st January.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2018/12/pak-suzuki-prices-increased-from-1st-january-2019/
Master Motors inaugurated their first state of the art 5S showroom in Karachi- the facility started to house all Master products under a single umbrella.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/master-motor-inaugurates-its-first-5s-facility-in-karachi/
The second price hike in year 2019 was registered by United Bravo with an increase of 45,000 that got effective from 22nd January 2019.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/united-bravo-price-increased/
Local automakers announced their plans to revise the production schedules from January 2019 foreseeing a major slowdown in sales.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/big-3-to-cut-production-of-cars-in-2019/
The all new Toyota Supra was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/2019-gr-toyota-supra-revealed/
5th generation Honda City became 10 years old in January 2019 and entered its 11th year of production in Pakistan.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/5th-gen-honda-city-becomes-10-years-old-in-pakistan/
Government in its new financial amendments (mini budget) allowed non-filers of tax returns to purchase new cars up to 1300cc engine capacity. Non-filers were previously barred from purchasing new cars.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/01/non-filers-allowed-to-purchase-cars-up-to-1300cc/
Pak Suzuki Swift completed its 9 years and entered the 10th year of production in Pakistan.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/pak-suzuki-swift-enters-10th-year-of-production-in-pakistan/
February
South Korean automaker Kia made third consecutive iF Award hat-trick; winning 18 iF design awards since 2010.
Kia-Lucky announced to start local production in Pakistan.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/kia-lucky-will-start-local-production-by-september-2019/
Ghandhara revealed its plans to assemble 3 Datsun cars by mid 2020.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/ghandhara-to-produce-3-datsun-models-by-mid-2020/
Toyota unveiled the all new 6th generation HiAce
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/all-new-2019-toyota-hiace-debuts/
Hyundai reinforced its reputation for innovative design by winning the iF Design Award for the 5th consecutive year.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/hyundai-motor-wins-if-design-award-for-fifth-consecutive-year/
Prince Pearl made it to the internet and living up to its tradition, CarSpiritPK brought the genuine information about the whereabouts of this car.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/02/all-you-need-to-know-about-prince-pearl-800cc/
Hyundai-Nishat inaugurated Paistan’s first digital showroom in Lahore and launched two cars, the Santa Fe SUV and Grand Starex van.
March
Honda, at the Geneva motor show, announced that every new car sold in Europe will be electrified by 2025.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/honda-to-fully-electrify-in-europe-by-2025/
Government announced second mini budget by allowing non-filers to buy new cars as well as imposed 10% FED on 1700cc & above cars.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/2nd-mini-budget-1800cc-car-prices-to-increase/
Honda unveiled the retro-styled mini EV at Geneva.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/retro-styled-honda-e-prototype-unveiled-at-geneva/
Following the imposition of FED, Indus Motor Company and Honda Atlas revised the prices of their 1700cc & above cars.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/honda-toyota-prices-revised/
Geely launched its first MPV called JiaJi (VF11) in China. The vehicle will form the basis of next generation Proton Exora.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/geely-launches-its-first-mpv-jiaji-in-china/
Rahmat Group signed an agreement with BYD– China’s largest electric vehicle maker for assembly and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/byd-to-introduce-electric-vehicles-in-pakistan/
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) banned Careem and Uber, from operating within the premises of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/uber-careem-banned-from-entry-at-karachi-airport/
Groundbreaking ceremony of Proton’s plant in Karachi took place in presence of Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahatir Mohammad and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khran.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/proton-assembly-plant-project-in-pakistan-officially-begins/
Last unit of Suzuki Mehran rolled off the assembly lines in March 2019. News which many believed would not happen in their lifetime.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/pak-suzuki-mehran-just-took-its-last-breath-today/
Uber acquired its competitor Careem for $3.1 billion, making the largest-ever technology purchase in the region.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/uber-buys-careem-for-3-1-billion/
Pak Suzuki revised prices of its vehicles for the second time in year 2019, citing falling Rupee value against the US Dollar.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/pak-suzuki-prices-revised-for-the-2nd-time-in-2019/
After Pak Suzuki, Honda Atlas announced to revise the prices of their vehicles amid Rupee depreciation against the US Dollar.
https://www.carspiritpk.com/2019/03/honda-car-prices-revised-2/
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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
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
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