On my way to the gym I didn’t notice a bump on the road, and the car was jolted as it hit hard . Some people nearby helped me, and managed to drive it to the gym. After workout, I noticed water was dripping from the car, and there was an odd smell, which made me worry. I contacted the authorized workshop, and they picked up the car from my home. The workshop informed me that the repair cost could range from 300,000 to 350,000 PKR, as the car’s radiator was damaged, the axle was slightly misaligned and could have been damaged, along with several other components. The worst part was that the car wasn’t insured—it’s a Toyota Yaris. So, I went to the authorized workshop and told them to hand me over the car, which they initially declined, long story short, I got the car and gave it to the local mechanic for repair, he quoted me the fraction of what the authorized workshop quoted me. Surprisingly the accident was not that severe but the damage was big. This is just one example of a locally manufactured car; in reality, there could be many more like it.

I did some research to understand why car manufacturing standards in Pakistan are so low and why consumers aren’t getting what they were promised. For instance, in the Toyota Yaris, there’s a button in the car meant to raise an alarm when an object comes too close, but it’s just there for show and doesn’t actually perform its intended function.

The car standards in Pakistan are often considered subpar for several reasons: Pakistan’s automotive industry is not as heavily regulated as in other countries. There is a lack of stringent safety, environmental, and quality standards for both domestic and foreign manufacturers. This leads to lower-quality vehicles being produced or sold.
The market is dominated by a few players (like Suzuki, Honda, and Toyota), with limited new entrants or innovation. This reduces the pressure on manufacturers to improve standards and quality, as they don’t face significant competition in terms of product variety or performance.

Import tariffs and taxes on cars and automotive components are high, which increases the cost of manufacturing locally. As a result, local manufacturers often compromise on features or quality to keep prices competitive.
In Pakistan, affordability tends to be prioritized over advanced technology or quality standards. Cars are often stripped off, of safety features, quality materials, or advanced technologies. Three years ago, the prices of locally manufactured cars were significantly lower, before the increase in 2024 all thanks to the rapid erosion of Pakistani rupee. Many vehicles sold in Pakistan are based on older models or technologies, which may have been updated in other countries but remain unchanged here due to lower production costs and maximized profits.

The after-sales service, including maintenance and availability of spare parts, can be inconsistent, especially for foreign car brands. This can lead to reduced reliability and long-term durability of vehicles. A significant portion of vehicles in Pakistan are imported second-hand cars. While these cars may be newer in terms of model and the year, but they often lack the required maintenance, yet still considered better in quality compared to new cars.

Many Pakistani consumers tend to buy cars based on price rather than evaluating the full range of features, safety, and performance, encouraging local manufacturers to prioritize low-cost models with fewer quality considerations.
Improving these standards would require stronger regulatory frameworks, increased competition, and greater emphasis on consumer education regarding the long-term benefits of investing in better-quality vehicles.

Let’s hope that one day the car manufacturing sector in Pakistan will receive the attention it truly deserves and the government will focus on the local vehicle manufacturing industry to ensure maximum comfort and safety for its consumers.