I don't know why we Pakistanis first yearn, beg and complain for change and when there is a change we often resist it, and then whinge and whine about it! I see all sorts of pessimistic views shared on this thread. First people used to say Korean cars look ugly, now they look great but we think they stand no chance against Japanese.
Well here's my take on durability and automobile industry in general.
JAPs:
Toyota makes cars to last approx. 20 years w/o major expenses.
Honda 15 years approx.
Nissan 8-10 years (recent issue CVT failures)
Mitsubishi 8-10 years
Subaru 8-10 Years (Engine head gas kit, piston rings leakage common in boxer engines)
Mazda 10 years
Germans:
Merc, BMW, Audi, VW - 5-6 years (Gazillions of sensors, plastic parts in engine, huge money pits after warranty expires)
US:
Ford (Recent transmission failures in Fiesta/Fusion models), Chevy, Dodge, GM Motors 5-8 years or more depending on make/model. Trucks can be built tougher than sedans due to competition in that market.
Koreans:
Hyundai/ Kia (Recent fire issues) 7-8 years approx. some models may perform poor than others but that happens with any manufacturer.
Auto industry is making products to fit the usual terms of finance or lease. Overseas most people would lease or finance a car not buy it on cash. The car must last trouble free for 5-7 years i.e. the duration of the loan/lease and the warranty generally covers this period too. KIA offers 7 years unlimited KMs warranty here in Australia. Hyundai I think is offering 5 years. KIA/Hyundai both are really pushing hard and giving JAP brand a run for their money. Had it not been for KIA & Hyundai we would have been driving ugly looking, boring and bulbous Corollas & Camrys.
Getting 2020 model in 2021 isn't that bad of a deal for Pakistan. On the brighter side, the out going shape/model of any car is considered the most reliable one! Because its the last year where the company has most likely cleared the car from all defects and manufacturing issues. Any new shape/model is prone to more design and manufacturing flaws. Considering the stigma in Pakistan against Korean and Chinese brands in hind sight may be its a wise thing to do. I'm sure if Hyundai Elantra 2021 was launched and it had got 1 minor engine issue or malfunction, our desi people and mechanics would have labelled it a complete failure of a car with pathetic quality! The company would have lost its repute, survival and everything with that 1 perception.
All this fear and passive thinking comes from the fact that car buying is mostly done on cash in Pakistan, bank interest rates are extremely high. And financing is not easy. 0% finance is a thing in any developed marked offered most frequently by Kia/Hyundai. Also some manufacturers offer 0% at end of financial year/ year end/ Christmas time, to sell as much cars as possible before closing. Even in normal days interest is very low, anywhere from 0-5%. People consider cars to be assets in Pk whereas they are actually an expense item. Insurance does not exist, fitness certificates and checks do not exist and hence our users love Toyotas and Hondas and are not willing to look past these. Somehow a new car brand has to establish its "re-sale" in Pakistan before it arrives, otherwise its a failure no matter how great the product is!
What we really need in our auto industry is low interest rates of 0-5% like in the West. Educated and qualified mechanics (so they don't label every new car they don't have tools and understanding for as failure) and we need much more competition. If people don't welcome change and adapt it with an open mind then sadly we will have many more Mehrans, Bolans and 8-10 year running Corolla and City /Civic models!
World has moved on to buy sexy looking cars and Goras always prefer beauty and functionality over durability. They look for class in the vehicle. They have money and means to change their car every 3-5 years usually (Gora middle class) Hence they love Mercs, BMs and Audi despite their very poor reliability. And these cars are successful because they provide free loaner cars when you give yours for service. The fit finish and interior quality of German cars is unmatched, Toyota had pathetic squeaky plastic interiors until recently but we loved them regardless because of low maintenance costs. Most people in 1st world countries think of Corollas and Camrys as majburi/ low end econo-box cars. Toyota sells no.1 amount of fleet cars. This includes Taxis, rent-a-cars, company cars and government orders hence they keep it KISS - "Keep it simple and stupid" they don't innovate and they make the most boring but reliable cars. Until recently Toyotas had the worst horsepower figures, worst exterior looks, worst interior looks, worst features and equipment in its class and yet it was the most expensive. But then other cars will have parts broken down which never breaks in a Toyota. Eg: Speedometer stopped working on my Nissan pulsar. Door handle broke on a friend's civic. mitsubishi and nissan are both known to have inferior electronics (Sensors, ECU etc when they are old they can have issues)
People off course should make decisions based on their circumstances however too much negativity is not good! Support investors and new brands in your country! Cheers!
