Before getting into the story, let us clear one thing here, and that is, the company has launched no electric car. It's a piece of fake news being propagated by some media outlets. Topsun Motors has recently launched the all-new Zotye Z100 hatchback in Pakistan. A manufacturing plant is also under consideration by Topson Motors in Dera Ghazi Khan. That plant will manufacture vehicles of Zotye and JMC brands.  Currently, the units of the Z100 are Completely Built Units (CBUs). The price of the Z100 currently is PKR 1,520,000. The main competitors of this car are Suzuki Wagon R, Kia Picanto, and Suzuki Cultus.  Zotye Z100 First Look review:  Exterior The exterior of the Zotye Z100 is stylish and elegant. The headlights are big and are tinted black to give a sporty look to the hatchback. The headlights are halogen and integrate the turn signal lamps as well. The front bumper has cutouts for installing foglamps. The Z100 hatchback comes with 14-inch alloy rims and imported Chinese tires. The side mirrors are body-colored; however, the door handles are black. The taillights are also big and are halogen. The Z100 is available in four exterior colors. These are white, red, blue, and silver. The side mirrors are powered and adjustable. A cool feature given in the Z100 is that when you keep pressing the unlock button on the key fob, all of the windows roll down automatically. This feature can help cool down the interior faster in hot summers. Ground clearance is also good for Pakistani roads and conditions.  Interior  The interior of the Zotye Z100 is available in the two-tone color configuration. The interior is a mixture of brown and beige colors. The door handles are given in chrome finish. The Z100 has power windows and power steering. The rpm and mileage meters are digital, while the speedometer is analog. Currently, there is not an infotainment screen fitted to the Z100; however, the audio system has AUX and FM connectivities. An infotainment screen will come in the next batch of Z100. The hatchback also comes with an air conditioning unit and comfortable seats. The seats are also two-toned and come in brown and beige colors. Currently, there are no airbags and ABS available in this car. Later, batches of the Z100 will come equipped with airbags and ABS. There is also a shelf in the rear separating the boot from the interior. The toolkit is nicely integrated into the side of the boot.  Performance  The Zotye Z100 comes with a 1000cc Euro 4 engine. The company also provides a dry battery. All the electronic parts are from Bosch. Although the Z100 comes with a small engine, the performance of the car is optimal even when the air conditioning is turned on. The hatchback does 18 km/l inside the city and 22 km/l on the highway, which makes it an economical car to run on a daily basis. Topsun Motors is also giving a 50,000 km or 2 years warranty, whichever comes first, for the Zotye. All spare parts required for maintenance of this hatchback are available at the 3S dealership of Topsun Motors. Free checkups of the car are available to 25,000 km. The acceleration and pick of the car are good, given the engine size. Currently, there is only a manual variant available; however, the automatic variant will be available in the near future.   Read Also: No, Zotye is not an electric car launched in Pakistan? Comfort and Handling  The overall driving experience is smooth and comfortable. The driving position is optimal and comfortable as well, which makes it a good car for long journeys. The lack of a central armrest comprises comfortability a bit. The boot size of the Zotye Z100 is good and comes with a spare wheel. The headroom and the legroom in the rear are both optimal for an average-sized adult. The legroom for the front passenger and the driver is also optimal.  Safety  On the safety front, the Z100 is not impressive as it does not have airbags and ABS currently. These safety features are available in other hatchbacks like Suzuki Alto and Cultus. According to Topsun Motors, the next batches will have these safety features, and they will make this hatchback competitive in the market.  Verdict  Zotye is a new brand under the umbrella of Topsun Motors, and it will take time for it to establish its roots in Pakistan. The exterior design and the look and feel of the interior are up to the mark. Resale of this car can be a challenge since it is in its early stages. Overall the small size and the fuel-efficient nature of the Zotye Z100 can help attract buyers who want to drive it in the city. The Z100 will have to pass the test of time to be successful in Pakistan. The 1000cc market segment of cars is becoming very competitive with new entrants, and Zotye can create its space in the market with the Z100. 

A piece of news that Topsun Motors has launched an electric car in Pakistan is making a lot of buzz in the local auto industry. So, before, getting into the story, let us clear one thing here and that is; No electric car has been launched by the company in the country. It's a piece of fake news being propagated by some media outlets. See what Suneel Munj has to say on this issue:  Topsun Motors has indeed inaugurated its showroom in Jail Road Lahore on 3rd January 2020, from where the company in the future will ship electric vehicles. The Provincial Minister of Punjab for housing, urban development and public health engineering, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed has inaugurated the showroom. The Minister applauded the efforts of its neighboring country in helping Pakistan move forward in terms of technological advancement. He also added that it will also help the country in strengthening its terms with China. Moreover, Chinese companies are taking a keen interest in investment plans in Pakistan. On this inauguration event, 4 models that include a hatchback and three models of JMC were introduced. Zotye Z100 PKR 1,490,000/- JMC Single Cabin PKR 2,950,000/- JMC Double Cabin PKR 3,950,000/- JMC Vigus 2.4-litre PKR 5,015,000/- Have a look at the exclusive pictures of Zotye Z100 which is available in four different colors: It is worth mentioning here that these vehicles are engine-based and the above-mentioned prices are inclusive of withholding tax. Moreover, the company is waiting for the electric vehicle policy to be implemented by the government and then the electric version will arrive. The electric version of Zotye Z100 will be the same as the engine-based model with a slight change in its shape and will be priced approximately PKR 1.9-2 million. The electric version Zotye Z100 Plus is already available in the international market. The current model of Zotye Z100 is based on 1000cc engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The company will also bring the automatic version of Z100 in the second phase. Note here that these models are completely built units (CBU) imported by the company. The hatchback falls in the category of Suzuki Wagon R and Cultus. Its other competitors in the local sector will be FAW V2 and KIA Picanto. However, it’s priced less than any of these existing models in the market. See the complete specs and features below: On the other hand, JMC Vigus 4×4 is based on a 2.4-liter engine twin-power charger and will compete directly with Toyota Revo and Isuzu D-Max in the local market.   Previously, the Zotye Z100 was introduced by HRL Motors in Pakistan in 2017 with a price tag of PKR1, 172,000.  At first, glance, if you think that the Zotye Z100 looks incredibly similar to the seventh generation Suzuki Alto then you’d be right because the Zotye Z100 is actually based on the underpinnings of the 7th gen Alto. Furthermore, it is imperative to mention here that the car debuted during the 2012 Shanghai Auto Show, and was launched in the Chinese market in September 2013. The Z100 is no longer available for sale as of now, as the company had replaced it with the electric version called the Z100 EV in October 2014. Furthermore, after 3 years, the company introduced the facelift for the electric Z100 named as Z100 Plus. Z100 Plus will be launched by Topsun in the coming months. The cabinet had recently given formal approval for the first National Electric Vehicle Policy (NECP) of Pakistan. As a part of the PM’s mission, Pakistan aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the atmosphere by bringing electric cars in the country. In the initial phase, 30% of the cars in the country are aimed to be shifted to electric by the year 2030. According to the Adviser to the PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, the country will save $2 billion in the annual oil import bill by converting to electric cars in the future. Moreover, the adverse effects of emissions from combustion engine vehicles will also be reduced by shifting to electric mobility. Pakistan currently stands at an alarming position on the global air index rankings. The air quality, particularly in the urban areas, has gone so worse due to the ever-increasing emissions from automobiles and industries. Therefore, the government aims to shift to electric mobility and in the first phase, motorbikes and 3-wheelers will be shifted to batteries. On the other hand, the existing auto manufacturers in the country have already opposed the electric vehicle policy as they believe that it will directly affect the existing automakers in the country. However, the government has ensured that all the stakeholders in this regard will be taken into confidence and the electric vehicle policy will go ahead despite any opposition. Share your thoughts on the story in the comments space below and stay tuned to PakWheels for more updates on the automobile industry of Pakistan. Recommended for you: Have a quick look at the cars launched in Pakistan during 2019

Earlier in August 2017, HRL Motors finally introduced the famous Zotye Z100 hatchback. The car was long awaited by the masses due to its low price in a Chinese market. But when the car finally made to the market. It’s price of PKR1, 172,000 was rather shocking for a 1000cc Chinese car. Hence making the interested customers, including me, to slowly back off and forget this car like it never came. It was later on when I realized this car also misses out on some features which I thought were present in its international version. So before we can talk about what could have made this car a better deal, let’s discuss what this car has to offer first. Also Read: FAW V2 vs. Zotye Z 100 – Comparing two Chinese Hatchbacks in Pakistan Zotye Z100 and Key Features On first glance, it’s not hard to notice that the Zotye resembles the Japanese Suzuki Alto. Not only is that it's actually based on the 8th gen Suzuki Alto but with a bigger displacement engine that makes 68bhp. Dimension is also similar to the Suzuki Alto. Other exterior elements include a choice of 4 vibrant color options (in Pakistan). Key Features Include: Anti-theft system Alloy wheels Electric rearview mirrors Power windows Central locking Manual Air conditioning 2-speaker stereo system with Radio + MP3 interface Electronic power steering. Pure Disappointment So now you know a little about the Zotye Z100, and even If you are not a huge car guy, you still might have noticed few things missing here. For starters, this car misses out on ABS and VSC which itself is a huge deal for many. Then the complete absence of airbags joins along the way. Making this car-deprived of two very basic safety features on any modern car. Then there is also no automatic transmission in this car. Before the whole debate gets out of hands, the whole point of buying a Chinese or Japanese car instead of locally made ones is to have a better equipped and safer car. It provides some extra piece of mind. Al-Haj group introduced the FAW V2; a 1.3L hatchback for a much lower price and it has everything you can expect from an imported car. Maybe this is why the nation had high hopes from HRL Motors, thinking they will bring an even cheaper car in Pakistan as duty is lower for a 1000cc car. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to belittle HRL motors here. But I would rather trade off alloy rims for ABS or airbags. You can add alloy rims later on, but necessary safety equipment is no option. Once again this is not a cheap hatchback at over PKR1.1 million which actually costs less than the half in China (base model). We hope that HRL motors figure out a way to bring the price down or introduce the missing features while keeping the price same, only then it would turn out to be a great deal. [gallery ids="76951,76953,76956,76954,76955,76957,76952,76958"] What do you think? Is Zotye Z100 up to your expectations? Let us know in the comment section below.

Pakistan’s automobile industry has seen some positive changes ever since the introduction of the Auto Policy 2016-21. However, the introduction of mid-ranged and smaller vehicles in the Pakistani market has been very limited. Hatchbacks are favored in Pakistan, especially in greater urban areas in light of the fact that these cars are reasonable for middle-class families. So it’s Zotye Z100 versus Suzuki Cultus. Also, Check Out Suzuki Cultus 2018 History: Before getting to the technical overview of the two autos, you will need to find out about their history first. Suzuki propelled the third era of Cultus in Pakistan on 22nd April 2017. Suzuki Cultus rejuvenated the entire Cultus brand name and delivered a more refined and bolder Cultus. HRL Motors teamed up with Zotye of China to introduce affordable cars in the Pakistani market; the first of which has hit the market and is called the Zotye Z100. Exterior: The third Generation of Cultus has a compact hatchback design. The front fascia involved angularly shaped chrome grill settled between smooth headlights which are set over the standard round formed fog lights. The backside houses Trapezium formed up-swept stacked tail lights. The overall exterior of Suzuki Cultus is unique and proportional and it can without much of a stretch outrace other imported hatchbacks available in Pakistan. Where as Z100 is available in three variants internationally which are Standard, Comfort, and Elite. It has alloy rims and electric rear view mirrors. Interior: The interior of cultus is highly balanced and refined fulfilling every one of the requirements of the family hatchback. The inside comes with a standard Black hued texture.The elements of the third Generation of cultus are Dual front airbags, Power Windows, CD player with AUX and USB opening and Power mirrors. The overall cabin of the cultus is extremely roomy and reasonable. Where as Z100 has a decently impressive array of features which includes Anti theft system, Alloy wheels, Electric rear view mirrors, Power windows, Central locking, Manual Air conditioning, a 2-speaker stereo system with Radio + MP3 interface, Electronic power steering, Trip Computer and 4.5m turning radius. Colors: Suzuki Cultus is available in 7 different colors. Which includes Pearl Red, Graphite Grey, White, Super Pearl Black, Cerulean Blue, Silky Silver and Sand Beige. Whereas Z100 is available in 4 different colors; white, red, blue and silver. Engine Capacity and Performance: The third Generation Suzuki Cultus accompanies 1.0 Liter DOHC 12 Valve Engine (K10B). The Zotye Z100 comes equipped with a EURO 4 compliant 1.0 liter 12 valve inline-3 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that produces 67 bhp at 3500 rpm and a max of 66.4 lb-ft of torque, this allows the Z100 to reach a top speed of 150 km/h. HRL also claims that the Z100 can return 18.9 km/l that combined with the 35-liter fuel tank should make for a theoretical driving range around 660 km on a single tank of fuel. Safety Measures: Suzuki Cultus 2017 accompanies keyless entry and an immobilizer as a standard in the two versions. Be that as it may, VXL gets 2 SRS airbags and ABS brakes as a matter of course while VXR lack these features. Safety belts and back seat child locks are standard also. Where Z100 has ABS plus EBD. Airbags and anti-theft system are standard also. Price: Suzuki Cultus’s two variants come with the following price tags: Cultus 2017 VXR – Rs. 1,250,000 Cultus 2017 VXL – Rs. 1,391,000 Where HRL Motors have priced the introductory 1,000cc Manual transmission model of the Z100 in Pakistan at Rs. 1,172,000 officially. They further state that you can get your car booked for as low as Rs. 25,000. Conclusion: We don’t get many new comers into the Auto Industry, the widely believed notions in this regard indicate that this sector has been predominantly under the control of local auto assemblers, but HRL (Habib Rafiq Group) motors hopes to change that because they just released a compact Chinese assembled hatchback called the Zotye Z100 into Pakistan. Whereas Suzuki Cultus has better engine, comprehensive look and smarter features with company’s warranty are usually preferred by Pakistanis.