Automark

Road traffic accidents have emerged as an important public health issue which needs to be tackled by a multi-disciplinary approach. The trend of injuries and death is becoming alarming in Pakistan. The number of fatal and disabling road accident happening is increasing day by day and is a real public health challenge for all the concerned agencies to prevent it. The approach to implement the rules and regulations available to prevent road accidents is often ineffective and half-hearted. Awareness creation, strict implementation of traffic rules, and scientific engineering measures are the need of the hour to prevent this public health catastrophe. This article is intended to create awareness among the health professionals about the various modalities available to prevent road accidents and also to inculcate a sense of responsibility toward spreading the message of road safety as a good citizen of our country.

Multiple distractions, risk factors
A number of risk factors unique to the teen driver increase the likelihood of crashes.

Teens lack experience, may drive at unsafe speeds and maintain shorter following distances, especially with friends in Pakistan. They can be distracted visually (eyes off the road), manually (removing one’s hands from controls) and cognitively (attention diverted from driving). Electronic devices, such as cellphones, can create all three distractions, a major threat to driver safety. Having friends as passengers also creates distraction.

Use of alcohol, illicit substances and certain medications can impair driving. Although alcohol remains the most common ingested substance resulting in crashes and fatalities for teens, drug-impaired driving is a growing concern, with cannabinoids the most commonly detected substance.

Sleep deprivation also is an emerging factor in motor vehicle crashes, as most Pakistani teens do not get enough sleep. The statement discusses the impact of adolescent brain development and its effect on teen drivers.

Improper Turns, the reason that we have stop lights, turn signals, and lanes designated for moving either right or left as opposed to straight is because when drivers ignore the rules of the road, car accidents are often the result. To prevent a car accident, always look for signs and obey the proper right-of-way before you make a turn.

Road Rage, everyone has been angry at another driver for one reason or another, but some drivers let their rage overcome them. By tailgating another driver in anger or speeding past another driver only to pull in front of them and brake, these road “ragers” cause many needless car accidents each year.

Ignorance of fasten seat belt, is the major cause of deaths during crashes Seat-belts can help to save lives. They are important safety features that, like air bags, help to protect a driver or passenger in a collision and minimize injuries. Those who do not wear their seat-belts while in a vehicle put themselves at greater risk of severe injury or even death. It’s been proven time and again, on back roads and superhighways: A seat belt can save a life in a car accident. According to the National Highway Authority Pakistan (NHA), more than 10,000 lives are saved each year in Pakistan because drivers and their passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents.

Things to always remember for safe ride
Buckle up for the love of your life
• Always wear your seat-belts
• Obey all speed limits and signs.
• Be attentive and drive responsibly.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Understand the safe braking distance.
• Before driving a car, do a simple safety check. …
• When you get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats before placing the key in the ignition.
• Avoid hard braking, acceleration, and cornering

Courtesy – Originally published at :  https://seriousaccidents.com/legal-advice/top-causes-of-car-accidents/

Eight Pakistani companies are exhibiting at Automechanika which is to be held in Dubai. The event will begin on June 10th and conclude on June 12th.

Automechanicka Dubai is one of the biggest exhibitions related to all automobile; be it auto-parts, auto accessories, tyres, batteries, auto machinery and business solutions etc. Therefore, this will be the 17th exhibition held in Dubai.

Auto industry is a sector that has witnessed major growth in the recent years. Hence Pakistani companies focuses on value addition exports which includes auto parts to contribute to this growing sector.

Last year, this exhibition saw a record participation of 1801 exhibitors from over 61 countries. Moreover, around 31,971 people visited from 146 countries whereas 23 official country pavilions were also part of the show. Even from Pakistan, 600 visitors were present at the exhibition last year.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is arranging a national pavilion in the exhibition in order to represent the eight companies from Pakistan. Few of the companies namely Century Engineering, Ghauri Tyres & Tubes, Multi-tech Engineering, Super Horn and Pakistan Accumulators are going under Pakistani pavilion whereas Daewoo Battery, Panther Tyres and Rastgar Engineering are has their own booth at exhibition ground.

Pakistan Auto Spare Parts Importers & Dealers Association (PASPIDA) has also arranged a delegation in order for their executive members to visit the fair in Dubai.

According to company sources Regal Automobiles, assemblers of Prince Vehicles in Pakistan are opening booking of Pearl in July-2019.

Pearl will be available to the customers in September-2019 while price of the vehicles has not announced yet.

Company has been almost ready to produce and assemble this vehicle in Pakistan at the assembly plant in Lahore.
Few units of the Prince Pearl 800cc hatchback car already reached to Lahore for test drive and marketing purpose as per available information.

Specifications: Prince Pearl 800cc hatchback car
– 796cc water-cooled
– EFI engine
– 40 horsepower
– 60 Nm torque
– Ground clearance: 145mm
– Turning radius: 4.5m
– Gross weight: 735 Kg
– Fuel Type: Petrol
– Steering Type: Rack and Pinion with Electric Motor
– Fuel tank capacity: 27L
– Mileage City: 22 KM/L
– Mileage on Highway: 25 KM/L
– Transmission Type: Manual and Auto
– Seating Capacity: 5 persons
– Top Speed: 120-130 KM/H
– Front Wheel-drive
– Brakes: Front: Discs, Rear: Drums
– Suspension: Front: McPherson independent; Rear: Coil Spring
– Tyres: 155/65R13 etc

Prince Pearl Features
– Power window
– Central locking

• Modern-looking LCD

• Power steering
• Seat-belts
• Aluminium Rims
• Air conditioner
• Heater
• Fog Lamps
• Retractable Mirrors/Power Mirrors

About Regal Automobiles:

Regal Automobile Industries Limited (RAIL), country’s third-largest bike assembler, has set up an assembly plant in Lahore with an investment over Rs800 million to produce light commercial vehicles and vans from April 2018.

The company has signed a technical collaboration agreement with China’s DFSK Group to assemble vehicles under the name Prince.

The Ministry of Industries (MoI) earlier in February in last year had awarded a manufacturing license to RAIL.

DUE TO POOR SALES IN THE EXECUTIVE SEDAN SEGMENT AND MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS BUYING COMPACT AND MID-SIZED SUVS, TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED THE DISCONTINUATION OF THE COROLLA ALTIS FROM APRIL, 2020.

A rather shocking news, but Toyota will be discontinuing the Corolla Altis executive sedan in the Indian market from April 2020, when the BS-VI emission norms come into effect. Toyota also had plans of sharing the Corolla Altis with Maruti Suzuki as part of product sharing deal where a Suzuki-badged Corolla Altis would have sold through the Nexa outlets. With this decision, a Suzuki-badged Corolla Altis will never see the light of day either.

With more and more consumers moving to compact SUV and mid-size SUV segments, the sales of executive sedans have seen a sharp decline. Even Suzuki had second thoughts about how successful a Suzuki-badged Corolla Altis would have been in a dying segment of cars. Toyota was also doubtful that the brand strength may not stretch enough to be able to garner healthy margins.

In the financial year 2019, all the executive sedans witnessed a decline in sales by 30%. This includes the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia. Ironically though, Toyota sold 2,783 units of the Corolla Altis, finishing at the top of the segment. However, the overall numbers are still quite small and there does not seem to be much potential from a Suzuki-badged Corolla Altis as the segment itself has not been doing good at all. Toyota therefore sees no viable reason to upgrade the car or bring a new version of the sedan to India.

The Toyota Corolla Altis comes with a 1.4L diesel engine and a 1.8L petrol engine. With the BS-VI emission norms kicking in next year, there was no point upgrading the BS-IV compliant Corolla Altis to the BS-VI specifications as that would call for heavy development costs and the sales anyway aren’t enough to justify that. Also, the diesel Altis constituted a significant portion of sales for the Altis. With the diesel gone, there was no reason to keep the Corolla Altis anyway.

On last week Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan inaugurates phase 1 production facility of JwForland truck assembly plant in Lahore. CM Punjab, Governor Punjab, Information Minister and many other high level government officials were with him on that special visit and on ceremony.

Imran Khan says Pakistan will soon be exporting ‘Pakistan-made’ vehicles. He has stated that Lahore’s JwForland Manufacturing facility would roll out autos totally Made in Pakistan, with even their spares being constructed regionally.

Addressing the ceremony right here, the premier lauded Faisal and Javed Afridi, the owner of JwForland Pakistan, for his proactive efforts to herald foreign investment and technical assistance for increasing the manufacturing facility’s operations.

He stated that Pakistan wouldn’t solely meet its automobile necessities however it should additionally export Pakistan-made autos. “We now have to take away all obstacles in approach of international traders, as solely international funding can resolve Pakistan’s financial disaster”, stated PM Khan.
He additionally stated that he was trying ahead to the manufacturing of electrical automobiles within the JW Forland plant within the in future which would “resolve Lahore’s air pollution downside”.

South Korea’s transport ministry on Sunday issued recall orders for 11,500 units of 58 different imported cars, including those from BMW, Volkswagen and Honda.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said 2,461 units of Germany-based carmaker BMW’s 320d and 116i models will be recalled, citing battery problems.

Around 2,000 units of 22 different BMW models, including the 523i, will also be recalled over heater issues.

Another 2,000 units of seven Volkswagen models, including the Golf 1.4 TSI, will be recalled due to potential flaws in their transmissions.

Four models of Audi, including the TT Coupe 45 TFSI Quattro, will be recalled for using defective air bags produced by Japan’s Takata.

The recall involves defective inflators in Takata air bags that may deploy improperly during crashes, shooting metal fragments into the driver and passengers.

Two models of Japan-based Honda, including the Accord, will also be recalled over the air bag issue, covering some 1,300 units. (Yonhap)

Courtesy: The Korean Times

Islamabad 2nd May: A meeting of the Pakistan Aerospace Council was held today at the Islamabad Club. The meeting was attended by the general body members of the Pakistan high-tech Manufacturing community engaged in exports of high valued goods to EU and US markets.

During the deliberations of the Council, it was agreed aerospace market is growing year on year and high Tech Manufacturing offers great export potential for foreign exchange earnings for Pakistan. The council unanimously stressed that the government of Pakistan must create a policy for advancement of the aerospace related product manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The meeting called upon the Board of investment, Engineering Development Board and Ministry of Commerce to Link Pakistan’s high value added Engineering sector to global market through creation of hightech industry clusters, trade facilitation, taxation and levies measures.

President, Pakistan Aerospace Council, Dr. Haroon Qureshi outlined the activities of the council during the past three years and contributions of its members for the advancement of science and technology, through collaboration with universities , national research organizations as well as manufacture of a diverse range of products for the national and global markets.

Dr. Haroon highlighted the need for establishment of hightech manufacturing clusters in line with international trends which could then work to host global tech giants for meeting the research and development needs by utilising Pakistani talent and youth. He brought into sharp focus the large number of technical universities in and around Islamabad and the high density of tech manpower in this valley and how this combination together with high speed, un-interrupted internet, good quality air and high class road infrastructure could transform this area into a world class technology hub.”

— Press release —

Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works in the small seacoast village of Hamamatsu, Japan in 1909. Business boomed as Suzuki built weaving looms for Japan’s giant silk industry. In 1929. The company’s first 30 years focus was on the development and production of these machines.

Michio Suzuki anticipated lack of a future in looms, he made a decision to start a consumer oriented business. After having considered the company’s technical strengths and the direction of the Japanese economy, he focused on the automobile industry. Michio had a great deal of confidence. “In the near future, it is sure that the era of automobiles will come.”

He started the car project in 1937 and within two years Suzuki had completed several compact prototype cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles were powered by a then-innovative, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. Unfortunately the world war II was started and production plans for Suzuki’s new vehicles were halted as government declared civilian passenger cars a “non-essential commodity”. After the War,Suzuki went back to producing looms again.But development of car was also restarted, simultaneously at last Suzulight, the first car of Suzuki was introduced in April 1955with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive. The first Suzuki was closely based on the Lloyd 400.

This was the beginning of a great leap forward. In 2016, Suzuki was the eleventh biggest automaker by production worldwide. Suzuki has over 45,000 employees and has 35 production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries. The worldwide sales volume of automobiles is the world’s tenth largest, while domestic sales volume is the third largest in the country.

Suzuki vehicles first appeared in Pakistan market during the mid-70s through CBU imports from Japan.
In 1980 Awami Autos Limited started assembly of Suzuki Pickup and small passenger vans. Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited,was officially formed in August 1983 as a joint venture between Pakistan Automobile Corporation Limited (PACO, represented by the Government of Pakistan) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) Japan. The company started commercial production in 1984. Pak Suzuki was the first passenger car manufacturer in the industry when the commercial production started in 1983/84. Suzuki FX was the first vehicle to be produced with an 800cc engine and was priced just around PKR 45,000 for a brand new car. The FX was almost three times cheaper than most vehicles available in the market back then. And even after 30 years of its life in our market, it is surviving strong and holds a decent resale value too. However within three years of introduction price increased up to Rs. 87000/-.

Pak Suzuki was privatized in September 1992 while SMC progressively increased its equity thus acquiring the stake of PACO. The company today is the largest player in the industry with over 50% market-share and a virtual monopoly in the ever growing small car market.

Now Suzuki vehicles enjoyed good sales due to a good reputation, low maintenance cost, and no competition since imports were halted in favor of local production already. For up to 6 years, locally produced Suzuki vehicles were not available in metallic colors; paint quality was below par, optional trims were not available for most models but still the cheaper yet easy to maintain Suzuki vehicles sold quite well.In 2001, Suzuki started to roll out factory fitted CNG vehicles and in the same year, SMC increased its equity to 73% in Pak Suzuki. In 2002, Suzuki launched a facelift for Alto hatchback.

After the new auto policy 2016-21 was announced, Pak Suzuki expressed its concerns over the policy and termed it ‘devastating.’ They also indicated to shelve their investment plans in Pakistan and further demanded that the government should revisit the auto policy. What Pak Suzuki needs to understand is that they cannot sell the 30-year-old obsolete cars till eternity. But it remains the fact that these obsolete cars make up nearly 85% of Suzuki’s sales in Pakistan. Up till now Pak Suzuki has sold over two million units in Pakistan.

by Anwar Iqbal, this exclusive article has been published in Automark Magazine’s April-2019 printed edition.