Suzuki has now launched the locally assembled 660cc Every in the country, which marks the end of an era for the iconic Bolan. From a family vehicle to a school van and even as an ambulance for Edhi, the Bolan has for years been synonymous with Pakistani roads. And now, with the Bolan officially sidelined, the Every is to enter this space as the go-to cargo and multipurpose vehicle.
The most pricey of the three-manual transmission
Variant of Every-covers a price tag over Rs2.7 million, which has sparked mixed reactions among consumers on the car that is priced much higher than the last locally produced Bolan that fetched a meager Rs1.9 million. On the other hand, Changan’s Karavan, the closest competitor to Every with a 1200cc engine and automatic transmission, attracts a price of Rs3 million.
Although the Every boasts multiple modern features
Missing from the Bolan-including airbags, keyless entry, rear seat belts, and better ground clearance-the issue comes down to whether this is an appropriate vehicle in a tough economic environment. Pakistan’s macroeconomic woes, combined with rising interest rates, have already affected auto sales in the country. From selling 30,000 units in FY16, Bolan sales declined to 2,800 units by FY24.
Still, the Every does provide some major pluses over the Bolan
Such as it has a little more ground clearance-10mm-and a better fuel efficiency of 14-15 km per liter with AC on. However, the pretty mediocre styling of the vehicle and also absence of air vents at the rear has kept some potential buyers in uncertainty. Though it lags behind in many aspects, the vehicle is more superior to its counterpart with the plus point of suspension system upgraded from the previous model.
The dealerships hosted such a grand launching event and did warm hospitality, but the not-so-large crowd told that more people could be deterred by this huge price. Indeed, as the Every takes its bow, the question in most people’s minds is whether it will succeed in a hard market-the fate of a newcomer, especially in its first show, when buyers compare the additional features of the new car with the price paid. The performance of the Every in the next couple of months will be critical to its being able to live up to the legend of the Bolan.