Mehran's 30 year-old journey to end within two months, Senate penal told

Mehran's 30 year-old journey to end within two months, Senate penal told

ISLAMABAD: Amir Allahwala, a representative of Pakistan Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, on Tuesday told a Senate panel that manufacturing of Suzuki's Mehran car will come to an end within the next two months, according to Geo News.

He was briefing the Senate's Standing Committee on Industries and Production presided over by Senator Ahmed Khan.  Allahwala said most parts of the vehicle including engines are being made in Pakistan.  He told the committee nine automotive manufactures were bringing investment of $1.50 billion to Pakistan.

He said 2.4 million people were associated with the automotive manufacturing industry in the country.  Amir Allahwala informed the committee that 96 percent of motorcycles are being made in Pakistan.

He said the country is exporting motorbikes to Afghanistan while cars are also being exported to Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The committee was also informed about the number of cars being imported by Pakistan which stands at 75000.

According to Geo News, the Senate committee has seeks details of the vehicles being imported by the country.

The 30 year-old journey of the iconic locally assembled Suzuki Mehran 800cc will come to an end from April 2019.

Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL) on Sept 5 announced the discontinuation of Mehran SB-308 VXR model but did not disclose anything about its replacement. However, market was already abuzz with reports that Alto 660cc will take over Mehran.

In July this year, the company had announced closing down of Mehran VX model production from end of November due to its thin demand as compared to the hot selling Mehran VXR.

PSMCL informed its vendors that the company would roll out 19,247 units of Mehran VXR from September to March 2019 while a total of 4,574 units of Mehran VX would be assembled in the same period.