The automobile industry in Pakistan faces another disruption as Indus Motor Company Limited, the assembler of Toyota vehicles in the country, has announced the closure of its production plant. This decision of production shutdown comes amid ongoing challenges that have plagued the industry. Why the Shutdown? Inventory Management: Indus Motor Company has chosen to close its production plant due to an assessment of its current vehicle inventory levels. This break in production is set to span from September 28, 2023, to October 9, 2023, including both of these dates. History Production Shutdown: This isn't the first time the company has had to halt production this year. Let's take a quick look at the previous shutdowns and the reasons behind them. August 25, 2023, to September 6, 2023: The company temporarily ceased production during this period, citing low demand and inventory levels. July 21, 2023, to August 3, 2023: Challenges in the import of raw materials and clearance of consignments, coupled with supply issues from certain foreign vendors, led to disruptions in the supply chain. These issues left the company with insufficient inventory to maintain production. June 26, 2023, to June 27, 2023: Once again, the company faced similar challenges related to the import of raw materials and components, resulting in another brief production shutdown. Challenges in the Auto Industry The automobile industry in Pakistan has been grappling with several hurdles, including difficulties in the import of essential raw materials, issues related to the clearance of consignments, and supply disruptions from foreign vendors. These challenges have collectively disrupted the supply chain, making it difficult for companies like Indus Motor Company to sustain production. The decision by Indus Motor Company to temporarily close its production plant reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the automobile industry in Pakistan. These hurdles, including supply chain disruptions and low demand, have compelled the company to strategically manage its inventory and production schedules. What do you think of these recurring production breaks in our auto industry? Tell us in the comments below!

Before we dive into the walkthrough, tell us the first thought that comes to your mind when you see a Toyota Hiace. Probably a public transport vehicle. Don’t worry; we thought similarly after seeing Suneel’s friend’s newest purchase, the 2023 Toyota Hiace. However, this is not your ordinary Hiace. This is a highly customized luxury van. Let’s find out more about this unique project. A remarkable fact is that the complete detailing project has been undertaken in Pakistan. The whole fabrication and craftsmanship job has been done locally. Essential international standards were kept in mind when undertaking the project. Price The brand-new stock 2023 Toyota Hiace cost Rs. 15 million. Engine The Hiace has a 2500 cc diesel-powered engine with manual gear transmission. Interior Although the van carries a stock look from the exterior, the interior is highly contrasting. Suneel took on the Hiace project and went all in to customize a stock Hiace into a premium luxury van. Firstly, the vehicle’s seats have been changed to full-size automatic sofa recliners. Nothing is hand-controlled, as an application operates the van’s features on an iPad. App-controlled features include smart curtains, a smart 4G switch, a full-sized 42-inch TV, smart IR, and audio controls. Also, a modern ambient lighting system that can be controlled via buttons and the app has been installed. The car has complete Alcantara paneling, wood lining on the floor and roof, a humidifier, an intercom to contact the driver, luxurious adjustable seats with heated and cold ventilation, and a massager. Moreover, the seats also carry trays to place belongings or food. The modifications do not end here. This Hiace has a Wi-Fi router, a glass cupboard, a meal table, a refrigerator with a freezer, and a fingerprint-operated locker. For Sale This luxury 2023 Toyota Hiace is for sale with a price tag of Rs 26 million. Would you buy this Hiace? Tell us in the comments below. Watch Video

  When it comes to car companies and their followers/ owners, there has been rivalry forever. Honda vs. Toyota and BMW vs. Mercedes are some commonly known and discussed examples. This rivalry is also among the people who work for these companies or represent them, which goes all the way to the top-level management. Normally, higher-level management of these companies also mostly use vehicles of the same brand they work for and obviously as company-maintained vehicles. Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda The current chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, is well respected among auto enthusiasts because of his love for racing. He raced at Nürburgring for the 24-hour competition multiple times and raced an exclusive one-off model of Toyota Century GRMN at the Fuji racetrack. All this is not just for media attention because when he was CEO of Toyota, he also outlined restructuring of the company and developing an all-new GR/GRMN brand to bring performance and sporty character of Toyota vehicles as there was a perception of Toyota making BORING cars. Akio Toyoda was right and successful, and we have seen models like GR Corolla, GR Yaris, GR Land Cruiser, and more. https://vimeo.com/864464883 Toyota CEO and Honda HR-V  Akio participates in racing competitions and recently was doing a pre-race survey of the racetrack for the upcoming Rally Hokkaido in Japan. The chairman is planning to participate in the rally by driving a GR YARIS Rally-1, the vehicle that Toyota ran in the 2022 FIA WRC season. Well, the interesting thing is that Akio was seen driving a Honda HR-V while on the survey mission of the raceway. In the short video clip, Toyota also shares on their social media with the camera guy asking Akio what car this is. He responds, "This is Honeq. " The video ends with Honda's famous brand slogan, "Power of Dreams". The video with the chairman driving HR-V with a thumbs up was liked by followers for Akio Toyoda's respect for competitors. Rivalry is OK as it helps in improvements, but one should respect the opponents. I am sure Honda fans are happy seeing the video, but let's see what Toyota's fans have to say. Share in the comments. Meanwhile, you can watch a detailed PakWheels review on Pakistan's domestic model HR-V below; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilPZ3_s06ZE

In a significant win for road safety, the fourth-generation Toyota Vios, also known as Yaris, has received a stellar 5-star rating from the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP). The ASEAN NCAP has awarded this remarkable rating upon the 2023 Vios, and it's all thanks to the strict 2021-2025 assessment protocol. The variant that underwent rigorous testing was the G variant, crafted in Malaysia exclusively for the Malaysian market. But here's the exciting part: other Vios models produced in Thailand for countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, and Cambodia also share this prestigious 5-star rating. When it comes to safeguarding adult occupants (AOP), the Vios scored an impressive 35.25 out of a possible 40 points. In the child occupant protection (COP) category, it managed a solid 16.64 out of 20 points. This impressive safety performance is further strengthened by the inclusion of cutting-edge safety features like autonomous emergency braking (AEB). These advanced safety systems helped the 2023 Vios secure 16.08 points out of 20. Motorcycle safety (MS) is another vital aspect, and here, the Vios didn't disappoint. It earned a commendable 10.73 points. With all these elements considered, the 2023 Toyota Vios achieved an overall score of 78.70 points, even after the weighting adjustments. This outstanding performance rightfully earned it a coveted five-star ASEAN NCAP rating. The ASEAN NCAP is delighted to see Toyota's unwavering dedication to road safety. By equipping the Vios with a range of safety assist technologies, Toyota is ensuring the safety of both vehicle occupants and fellow road users. These innovations act as a shield, protecting all from unforeseen incidents on the road. Back in 2021, Toyota Yaris had scored 1 star in the Latic crash test, proving to be a highly dangerous vehicle. So, this improvement reflects Toyota’s commitment to safety and growth. What do you think about this improvement? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!