Sazgar which in process of entering the four-wheeler assembling foray has displayed a range of BAIC vehicles at the ongoing 2020 Pakistan Auto Show. The company having acquired Greenfield investment status has joined hands with BAIC Group which happens to be the joint venture partner of Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz) in China.
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The vehicles put on display were the D20 hatchback, X25 crossover and BJ40L SUV. Sparing the BJ40, both D20 and X25 were right-hand-drive units suggesting that these two will be launched in the initial phase, whereas the BJ40 which remains a left-hand-drive unit is probably there to gauge the public interest and shows the potential of what the company can offer.
The BAIC D20 is based on 2004 Smart Forfour platform while its styling is heavily inspired by the first generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class. This is because BAIC, as mentioned earlier, has close ties with Daimler AG and since 2003 operates a joint venture in China that assembles Mercedes Benz vehicles.
The D20 hatchback is powered by a 1.5 liter engine and is available in both automatic and manual transmission options. Features include air-condition, power windows, 2 air bags, ABS with EBD, central locking, multimedia audio system with DVD/ MP3/ AUX/ USB, 14” alloy wheels and front & rear fog lights etc.
The BAIC X25 crossover sits on the same platform on which the D20 hatchback is based and comes equipped with the same 1.5 liter engine that’s found in the D20, matched to 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic gearbox options. There were two different versions of the X25 on display– Comfort and Sports.
The most impressive is indeed the BJ40L SUV. It comes with a choice of 2.0 and 2.3 liter turbocharged petrol and 2.4 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine and comes paired to either 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. It’s a front engine vehicle with part-time 4WD and sits on front double wishbone and a multilink rear suspension. Features include airbags, ABS+EBD, rear anti-spin differential, 7” touchscreen multimedia system with DVD/ MP3/ AUX/ USB, rear parking sensors & engine immobilizer etc.
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The company hasn’t reveal official prices of these vehicles however as per our information the D20 and X25 will be priced somewhere around PKR 1.8 million and PKR 2.0 million respectively. There is no word on the introduction of BJ40 at this stage however the company may consider introducing the vehicle either towards the end of this year or early next year. Stay tuned to CarSpiritPK for more information.
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