Friday, October 17, 2014

How the Automobile scene evolved in Pakistan (Part 2 – 1980s – Japanese Rule)

I won't be wrong if I say that Pakistani market was most welcoming to Japanese manufacturers in the 1980s. You had more options than you to today and everyone everywhere was driving around in a Japanese car. FJ40 & RKR had replaced those American Jeeps for Pak Armed forces while the elite of country felt pride in driving around in a Pajero Turbo Wagon with its iconic steel sunroof at the back seat.

Pajero


If Asif Raza Mir was driving a Super Saloon Galant in tanhaiyan then Rahat Kazmi was using a Mazda 626 in dhoop kineray which were then provided for publicity by World Wide Motors & Mandviwala Motors respectively.


Everyone then was fancying a Japanese car, house wifes were fighting their husbands for Suzuki 800 (Later known as FX) and all the young & hip crowd wanted Daihatsu Charade preferably the turbo version with red & black interior and a sunroof.


1986_honda_accord_71


If Honda Accord was the coolest car then Mitsubishi Galant & Mitsubishi Lancer were for sure the most glamorous one because they were first to offer digital speed o meter with orange led display. All the sunroofs, alloy rims, power windows / steering etc were being introduced in the market and some were excitedly welcoming those new gadgets while others were skeptical about the durability.


hc132129151669


Those who were doubtful of the durability of these new gadgets were then opting for the tried and tested Toyota Corolla with their legendary models of fourth (EE70), fifth (EE80) & sixth (EE90) generations which were the first choice for rural population and to some extent safer bet for less aggressive urban population.


If I'm to list a few cars which were then offered in local market then I'd go with following.




  • Mitsubishi Lancer

  • Mitsubishi Galant

  • Mitsubishi Pajero

  • Mazda 323

  • Mazda 626

  • Nissan Sunny

  • Nissan Bluebird

  • Toyota Corolla

  • Toyota Corona

  • Toyota Starlet

  • Toyota Land Cruiser

  • Subaru J10

  • Suzuki Van (Dabba)

  • Suzuki 800 (FX)

  • Suzuki SJ410

  • Suzuki Swift (1987 onwards)

  • Suzuki Swift Sedan (1989)

  • Daihatsu Charmant

  • Daihatsu Charade


1280px-1985-1987_Daihatsu_Charade_(G11)_CX_5-door_hatchback_01


Imagine having this many options to choose from today, I'm sure the market would've been much more competitive & healthy and we would also be getting some quality cars.


OA

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