How is it that Honda has crossed out some of the things it has on its list? Does it not want to best car in Pakistan?
In any case the car policy of the government of Pakistan is seriously flawed. Most probably because no one has had the time to revise it.Cars are called luxury items and safety features additional luxury items. Cars are not luxury items, they are a utility and consumer item. People need them to travel distances, many of which are not accessible by public transport. At present the tax on on cars is 350% over and above the actual price of the cars. The tax on cars should not be more than more than 25% of the actual price.
Car buyers in Pakistan have a choice of only a few cars brands. Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi, although there many car companies in the world. The number of people who want to buy news cars in Pakistan but cannot afford to are 60 million - but because they are outrageously expensive only an estimated 9 million people can afford them.
An important reason why car prices should be less - is that certain safety features should be standard. The cars which are sold are not under-engineered which results in such things as doors coming off their hinges, all kinds of strange noises coming from the engine and the body. The electrical system short circuits. Fuel stops pumping into the engine. The transmission dislocates. Some things which are supposed to work do not. There are lots missing switches and buttons.The drive is not comfortable. People compare the locally assembled Japanese cars with imported European find the performance and comfort horrible - they have driven the same Japanese cars in their own country and the Japanese car companies have a tough competition. They have a reputation maintain. In Pakistan it does not matter. There are no standards to be followed. Any kind of car will sell because few people know what good quality cars are like. The automobile business in Pakistan is not a business at all. If it was a business, then companies would be genuinely be competing against one another.But that is not the case. Cars should be imported and sold in Pakistan no new car should cost more than Rs 50,000. this should be inclusive all the taxes. Why should 60 million Pakistanis suffer just because of a handful of fraudulent businessmen.
The feudal lords, the tribal chiefs and factory owners will never drive Honda Civics or Accords - they own BMWs, Mercedes and have super-sized SUVs. Some of them have Ferraris. These can be called luxury vehicles. But a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla is not a luxury car - these are cars for everyday use and for ordinary people who do not have a flashy lifestyle. [There is no reason why these cars should not have fog lamps, keyless remote entry, In-dash 6 CD changer, Door mirror with integrated turn light, Map light].
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