Tata just launched a few new minitrucks and microtrucks for the Indian public. Soon they will be expected to export, improving the lives of countless commercial drivers all over the world.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoiEPd6KJD0
TATA launched the Ultimate Lineup of Commercial Pickup Trucks.
Biturbo Media
Dec 7, 2023

Meanwhile in Pakistan we are stuck with Ravi, Bolan and other millions years old models by Hino, Master etc.

Above-linked video made by an American who imported the ’95 model JDM Every to the US (being an auto-manufacturing nation, they can legally import 25+ years models but nothing newer) shows how the 3rd gen Suzuki Every based on the 9th gen Suzuki Carry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Carry#Ninth_generation_(DC51T/DD51T/DE51V/DF51V;_1991)) has sliding driver’s seat and some other things that can make the driver’s life easy. This is what Pakistan is losing by not adopting the later versions of Carry/Every.

This type of Carry was also available in Pakistan through the Yellow Cab scheme and very few samples of the Every as well, though none of them seem to be on sale online right now.

The owner of the car being interviewed though mentions the popularity of Every in India, Philippines and Pakistan as well many times over.

Driving in the commercial world could very well require and benefit from driver comfort. The driver’s fatigue simply from driving and travelling long distances all day can easily vary the amount of productivity he can achieve in a day. Think of it like this. If you have to carry ten heavy boxes from one place to another, it would put strain on your body and you would already feel tired after moving only 2 or 3 boxes. But add in a simple trolley (aka in this scenario; a tool of comfort and ease) and that would make the job much easier and quicker. We can improve our logistics and cargo sector almost ten folds by simply improving the infrastructure of our roads and commercial vehicles. Better roads means faster travelling, and quicker deliveries, and ultimately more profit. Better vehicle comfort means the driver can potentially work more hours (meaning more profit) since they will be less fatigued from cramping in a tight uncomfortable position for several hours. Would you prefer sitting on an office chair for office work or on a rough wooden stool for several hours?

“Otherwise why people are still buying a Ravi?”

Simple answer; there isn’t any other option more widely available than this one. Options from FAW, Changan and other well respected companies are limited to a few dealers in a few areas only, meaning they don’t provide or sell their services in every corner of this country. You are less likely to see a brand that has launched in Punjab get used on Sindh roads. However, that doesn’t mean that people are not buying them at all, I am sure that there are many Chinese commercial level trucks and vehicles getting used in other parts of Pakistan.

” I have seen bodies of contraptions from Chinese automakers, even the 2021 models bear copious amount of rust on body parts that have been scratched while the suspension is in a piteous state.”

“my cousin hired Shehzore, and driver’s half day was lost because the vehicle needed repair on a bent coil in its rear.”

“They ignore the flashy table like
vehicle from China because they know that it cannot even do a 50,000 kilometres without needing structural repairs.”

I could make the same claims by saying that I saw a Ravi with it’s axle snapped in half in the middle of the road, or that I saw a 2021 model Bolan that has already started rusting, or that these vehicles are absolutely unreliable since I have spent more time fixing them than driving them. But I won’t make those claims because like yours, they are baseless and source less. Do you have the source to back up these claims? You can’t decide that all apples are bad simply because you saw a rotten one among them. You can’t decide which vehicles are bad or good simply by counting on the roads which one is broken and which one is running. It is unprofessional, unrealistic and I don’t think anyone could take this claim of yours seriously.

This article has very well highlighted the absolute importance of driver comfort in commercial vehicles, not because it is a luxury, but because it is directly relative to the driver’s productivity, and that it ultimately affects the economy of the commercial sector.

Especially 3 seaters. Those new Sazgar and likes watercooled rickshaws are TERRIBLE at ride quality. Absolutely back breaking. Those things have industrial level leaf springs in the rear which are good for carrying great amounts of load (people nowadays use anything to carry anything) but God forbid you ever go through a slightly bumpy road in one of these things. They’ll turn a 20 minute ride into a 60 minute back stretching session for you! 😰😖

I would sit in one of those older Piaggio aircooled rickshaws and the ride quality difference b/w them and those Sazgars was like of a BMW vs a Mehran. Mind-blowing how good they were even being decades old.

1. Factory-fitted is best. There is nothing better than that. They must create the best thing at the time of first making.

2. Given the variety of aftermarket alterations available for Bolan and Ravi, such as floor mats, seat covers, curtains, decals, stickers, chrome garnishes and what-not, it is amazing that no particular thought has been given to creature comforts. It is so unfortunate that in our society, the things that matter and actually improve the quality of life are not a priority for us. Only the visual things are ever catered to.

Well the largest number of vehicles on the road are motorcycles, with no drivability improvements over the years. And with the dilapidated situation of public transport, most people are using motorcycles, rickshaws, 9-seater, 3-wheelers cargo rickshaw etc. for intra-city commutes and supplies.

A narrow class of 4-wheeler passenger cars see improvements – anything with less or more wheels is left over.

And the very next day this: https://carspiritpk.com/how-will-suzuki-ravi-look-with-a-high-roof/

Next please focus on the large commercial category viz. 10-wheelers, 18-wheelers, 22-wheelers and 14-, 19-, 32- and 59-seater buses too. Lots of these are now being assembled in Pakistan and many are being imported. Another category can be where Hilux-E LCV, Shehzore and Hyundai Porter belong. Larger vehicles are unique compared to the small LCVs because they are usually driven on the highways at higher speeds for long intervals. Less driver fatigue is directly proportional to road safety.

The small cabin is nothing less than an oven with the engine underneath the driver seat, and very bad heat insulation.

IIRC, I did some crude measurement with a probe thermometer a long time ago, the air coming in from the engine bay is around 67 °C. Ouch!