The Skipped Generation Models

We have often written about cars that were introduced in Pakistan after getting discontinued from the rest of the world, or the extraordinarily prolonged production span which often exceeds a decade, but now let’s talk about the generation models that were completely skipped from being introduced in our country.

Related: Globally Retired Cars in Pakistan

If you haven’t observed already, automobiles in modern era are generally having a 6-year life span. After three years in the market, they are refreshed with minor add-ons which include visual as well as functional enhancements – often referred as MMC (Minor Model Change) or simply Facelift. The facelift helps keep the model fresh for another few years before the new generation model replaces it.

Understanding Vehicle Generations

Car generations refer to the lifecycle of a design for that specific make and model. The equipment, upholstery and exterior trim is usually determined by the trim level, however the car generation often defines the platform, the engines, drivetrains, chassis, body styles and aesthetic theme of that vehicle. While visual enhancements can be easily incorporated using facelifts, automakers need to introduce a new generation model mainly to keep along with the global standards, to meet the stringent regulations of markets where they are sold as well as to meet ever-evolving safety and emission standards which is extremely difficult to meet if they keep themselves stuck to a same generation model.

Related: Cars with 10+ Years of Production in Pakistan

Now that you know what a vehicle generation is, let us look at the generation models that were skipped from being introduced in our market.

Suzuki Ravi/ Bolan

Generations skipped: 8^th, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th

Skipped generations of Suzuki Carry pickup & van

The Suzuki Ravi/ Bolan that we have here is actually the pickup and minivan iterations of the 7^th generation Suzuki Carry which was produced between 1979 and 1985. By 1985 it was already replaced by a new 8^th generation model. However Pak Suzuki has been “assembling” the 7^th gen Carry for over 40 years and ironically today both these four-decade old vehicles are available for PKR 1 million & more.

The 12th gen Suzuki Carry

The Suzuki Carry is currently in its 12^th generation which means over all these year, Pak Suzuki has proudly skipped the 8^th gen (1985-91), 9^th gen (1991-99), 10^th gen (1999-2013) and 11^th gen (2013-19). The longer, wider & restyled latest 12^th gen model debuted in Indonesia in 2019 making our 7^th gen Carry iterations (Ravi & Bolan) 5 generations behind the current model.

Suzuki Alto

Generations skipped: 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th and 7^th

Suzuki Alto 1992

4th gen Alto

autowp.ru suzuki alto japan 2

7th gen Alto

Suzuki Alto generations that were skipped by Pak Suzuki

Each generation of Alto hatchback was available with different names in our market. The 1^st gen Alto was called as FX here, the 2^nd gen was labeled as Mehran and continued for nearly 30 years before being replaced by the 8^th gen Alto in 2019. And between 2000 and 2012 Pak Suzuki sold the 5^th gen Alto in parallel to the 2^nd gen model aka Mehran.

Related: Suzuki Alto- Then and Now

Although the third gen Alto better known to us as Mini Alto that was produced between 1988 and 1994 did appeared in our market (imported) under the Yellow cab scheme of the 90s, but it was never offered by Pak Suzuki itself. Similarly the 6^th and 7^th gen models arrived here as used JDM imports and were never assembled locally. So for Alto, the generations that got skipped by Pak Suzuki were the 3^rd gen (1988-94), 4^th gen (1994-98), 6^th gen (2004-2009) and 7^th gen (2009-2014).

Suzuki Swift

Generations skipped: 3^rd

The 3rd gen Suzuki Swift

Pak Suzuki introduced the 2^nd gen Swift in Pakistan in January 2010. Interestingly this generation made its debut back in 2004 at Paris Motor Show and was already replaced by the newer 3^rd generation model elsewhere by the time Pak Suzuki decided to bring it to Pakistan.

Related: Pak Suzuki Swift Becomes a Decade Old

That 3^rd gen Swift was produced internationally between 2010 and 2016 maintaining the standard 6-year cycle as mentioned earlier, and was replaced by the 4^th gen Swift in December 2016. Now with the 4^th gen Swift already more than three years old internationally, Pak Suzuki having completed skipped the 3^rd gen model, is still selling us the 16 year old 2^nd gen Swift against PKR 2.14 million that too without a single airbag on offer.

Toyota Corolla

Generations skipped: 8^th

The 8th gen Toyota Corolla

Indus Motor Company (IMC) was incorporated in December 1989 and began rolling out the locally assembled 7^th gen Toyota Corolla from May 1993. However the 7^th gen that was already available in international markets since June 1991 was replaced by the 8^th gen Corolla in May 1995; just 2 years after IMC started their operations in Pakistan.

Related: Remembering the Toyota Corolla E90

The 7^th gen Corolla better known as Indus Corolla remained on sale in Pakistan for 9 years (1993-2002), the longest production period for any locally assembled Corolla generation. It was replaced in 2002 by the 9^th generation Corolla since IMC altogether skipped the 8^th gen model (1995-2002) for Pakistan. Better still we got these reaching our roads in shape of used JDM imports.

Honda City

Generations skipped: 6^th

6th generation Honda City

2017 Honda City facelift side Thailand

2017 Honda City facelift dashboard Thailand

The 6th gen Honda City

Honda Atlas introduced the 5^th gen City in Pakistan in January 2009 hardly 4 months after it made its world debut. However since then, thanks to the absence of competition the company has been dragging the same car which in 2020 has entered its 12^th year of production (read assembling) in our country.

In international markets the 6^th gen City debuted in late 2013 and was available till 2019. Honda launched the latest 7^th gen City sedan in November 2019 which after Thailand was scheduled to be launched in India (March 2020) however the launch was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The vehicle is slated to reach other global markets starting from India & Malaysia towards the middle of this year.

Related: Honda and Facelifts- Then & Now

In Pakistan Honda Atlas has completely skipped the 6^th gen City. However it somehow made its way in our country in limited numbers, thanks to used JDM imports as the vehicle is known as Honda Grace back in its home market.

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