Suzuki Bolan Gone, Next Please...

Pak Suzuki has officially bid farewell to the Bolan, a vehicle based on the 7th-generation Suzuki Carry Hiroof from the late 1970s, after a prolonged production run spanning over four decades. This marks the end of one of the longest production periods for any locally assembled car, pushing Mehran (2nd-gen Alto) to second place, which was produced in Pakistan for over 30 years & was discontinued in 2019.

Nothing came close to Bolan and Mehran in terms of age or the length of years they had been dragged. Even so, there are numerous instances of locally assembled cars that have been assembled for over a decade, including the MK-II Cultus (17 years), 5th-gen Honda City (13 years), and Swift, Alto & Cuore (12 years).

However, with nearly 70% of locally assembled cars currently sold in Pakistan being outdated, more models in the line are likely to reach the end of their production runs in the coming years. Let us see which of these models can see the curtains soon.

Suzuki Ravi

Suzuki Ravi has been the pickup version of the Bolan, with both models dating back four decades under Pak Suzuki’s production. Although Bolan’s production has officially ceased, the Ravi is still being assembled. There have been reports suggesting the Ravi may soon be replaced by the new Carry pickup, but Pak Suzuki has yet to issue an official confirmation.

Over the years, sales of Suzuki Ravi have been greatly reduced particularly in the presence of smaller and cheaper 3-wheel loaders. To render a true picture, according to PAMA data, Pak Suzuki sold 21,506 units of Ravi in FY2017-18 but in contrast sold only 2,731 units in FY2023-24. This means from an average of 1,792 units a month, the sales of Ravi have plummeted to just 227 units a month, witnessing an 87% reduction in sales.

Suzuki Wagon R

Suzuki Wagon R was formally launched in Pakistan on 20th April 2014, so it has already been in production for over a decade. But technically, it’s the second generation of the Maruti Wagon R which was produced between 2010 and 2018 in India and was replaced by the 3rd generation Wagon R in January 2019. But instead of India, Pak Suzuki sources the Wagon R parts & components from Indonesia where the 2nd gen Maruti Wagon R is available as Karimun Wagon R.

Funnily enough, even the Karimun Wagon R was discontinued in Indonesia in November 2021 due to slow sales. However according to Suzuki Indonesia, despite getting discontinued it will continue to produce Wagon R parts & CKDs for export markets as long as demand (in export markets) stays strong. Not to mention Pak Suzuki has been the biggest importer of Wagon R parts from Indonesia.

However, with Wagon R sales plummeting to an alarmingly low level in Pakistan, we may soon see the end of the Suzuki Wagon R in Pakistan, as it will be impractical even for Suzuki Indonesia to provide parts from in such a low volume. Wagon R sales peaked in FY2018-19 with 32,614 units sold (averaging 2,718 units a month), but plunged to just 3,595 units in FY2023-24 (averaging 299 units a month), according to PAMA data. This renders a deplorable 89% decline in sales.

Toyota Corolla (11th-Gen)

11th-Gen Toyota Corolla was launched in 1.8L Altis & flagship Altis Grande versions in June 2014, followed by 1.3L and 1.6L variants in August 2014. It has been in production for over a decade already, and IMC has literally skipped the 12th-gen Corolla sedan (at least from the looks of it) which was introduced elsewhere in November 2018 and will soon be replaced by the 13th-gen version somewhere in 2025.

But unlike, Wagon R the 11th-gen Toyota Corolla is among the bestsellers for the company as it even outshines its smaller sibling Yaris. So there is no urge for IMC to replace it with a newer generation model. However, with the 12th-gen Corolla Cross now introduced in Pakistan, it might finally open doors for the 12th-gen Corolla sedan. As per analytical guess, it might be introduced here once the 13th-gen arrives in global markets, mimicking what Honda Atlas did with the introduction of the obsolete 6th-gen City.

Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto remains the oldest model offered among the newcomers that stepped into the market as a result of Auto Policy 2016-21. The 2nd-gen Picanto was introduced here more than two years after the debut of the 3rd-gen model elsewhere.

But despite poor sales and horrific fuel economy figures, Picanto continues to be on Kia’s menu. It’s another debate that the company also sells the obsolete and globally retired Sportage and Sorento, but the 2nd-gen Picanto the development of which dates back to 2011, is the oldest among the lot.

Elsewhere the Picanto is in 3rd-generation but has received two thorough facelifts. It is also being reported that Picanto’s successor in international markets will be a small EV, however, it remains to be seen when Kia Pakistan will say goodbye to the 2nd-gen Picanto which is already a 13-year-old car.

Suzuki Cultus (Celerio)

Suzuki Cultus (originally Suzuki Celerio) was launched here in April 2017 but is technically a decade-old car. It is based on the 2nd-generation Maruti Celerio which was produced in India between 2014 and 2021 before being replaced by the 3rd-gen model. Like other Pak Suzuki models, sales of Cultus (Celerio) have been badly dented in recent years, from 23,169 units in FY 2021-22 to just 3,878 units in FY 2023-24 for an 83% decline in sales.

It remains to be seen how long Cultus (2nd-gen Celerio) will be dragged by Pak Suzuki, but given its poor sales, it’s not too hard to assume that the company isn’t making any profit from its existence on the market. Still, given the state of the economy, political upheaval, and economic uncertainty, perhaps it is difficult to predict whether Pak Suzuki would launch a new generation of Celerio in an attempt to revive the flattening sales figures.

Which other obsolete models do you wish to be replaced in the Pakistani market, let us know with your comments.

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