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Sport cars, or exotics as they are called in the car world, are status symbols that rule the world of the rich and powerful. The mean aggressive looks coupled with a big roaring engine make exotics the perfect toy.  The first thing that comes to mind when you think about a sports car is a Ferrari or Lamborghini but that is not the case. A sports car is a small two seater two door auto with spirited performance and agile handling. Sports cars can be rough or luxurious but high maneuverability and minimum weight are necessary. The Mazda Mx-5 is the world’s best selling sports car. The world may consider Lamborghinis and Ferraris as the world leaders but the Mx-5 took away the hearts of sport car lovers everywhere. The nimble handling sports car Mazda had created was economical as well as exiting the perfect combination for a sports car.

Sports cars in Pakistan are considered a luxury only some can afford. Pakistan throughout the years has become home to some of the best sports cars in the world. The Lamborghini Aventador roaming the streets of Faisalabad or the Ferrari 599 GTB from Lahore pay homage to the fact that sports car culture also exists in Pakistan.

In an interview with the owner of Timi motors in Defence, we asked him about the sport car culture of Pakistan. “Sports cars have always had an effect on people. Even the bystanders are amazed by the loud roar of the engine over the aggressive and daunting looks of the car.” The sport cars are usually designed so as to emulate a raging bull or a bucking steed. While driving around in Timi’s BMW M3 he told us “I fell in love with this car back when I first saw it in a magazine. Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to own a sports car.” Talking about the affordability of sports cars Timi said “Today no sports car is out of reach and if you want to experience the thrill of owning a sports car you can get an old BMW or Mercedes at very affordable prices.” The best way to enjoy a sports car today is to buy and American sports car. It won’t be as nimble and as fast as the others but the thrill will be there none the less. The Ford Mustang and the Camaro ZL1 are the hottest selling sports cars on the Pakistani market today. Some might disagree with these cars being considered sports cars but none the less on a track they behave in quite the same way.

Every time we talk to car guys the same thing comes up, the people need a proper track to test out their cars and enjoy in a safe monitored environment. The government should construct a regulated track for the people so everyone has the chance to experience these cars to the full extent. This will not only increase awareness about the motorsport but also keep street races at a minimum.

The Pakistani vintage car scene has recently been rekindled. The formation of the vintage car club in Pakistan has really helped spread awareness. This club has also been helpful for the people who are or plan to restore their cars to their former glory. The club acts as a family aiding and assisting other member weather in the form of advice or parts. The club has inspired people to look after and own special gems that were before left for dead.

The VCCP (Vintage car club Pakistan) organizes an annual car show that attracts people from all over Karachi. The VCCP also gives out awards for best in show and other categories. The VCCP has inspired not only the educated but the illiterate as well to restore and preserve these classic cars.

Shakeel an auto mechanic had bought a mustang body from the scrap yard and had planned to restore it for a long time. This year Shakeel finished his dream car and was overjoyed as he showed off his car to the rest of Karachi. We asked Shakeel if he would ever sell his most prized possession.  “This car would go to the grave with me if it were up to me.”

Vintage is a term used for items that have historical significance and are more than 20 years old. Vintage cars have been the crown jewel in mans pursuit to stand out.  It all started after the industrial revolution when the internal combustion engine was introduced into production cars. Mans journey with his beloved creation started from the likes of Henry Ford who is called the father of the automobile.  In 1908 the ford motor company rolled out its first car the Model A. It was a simple car just four wheels and an engine to drive it but it had an impact so great that it would revolutionize the automotive industry into being production oriented. The car market opened up to the middle class when in October 1908 Henry ford launched the ford model T. This was the first affordable car that paved the way for other car companies to invest and develop the car market. Americans, Germans and Italians have dominated the international car market ever since.


The restoration of cars to their former glory is very labor intensive and time consuming but still the people who have fell in love with these beauties spend their hard earned money and very valuable time restoring these cars. The VCCP annually holds a rally from Karachi to Lahore in which classic car owners from all over Pakistan participate. The rally is held to showcase the hard work of the people that restored the car. It also gives the people to see and witness that these cars are not just for show but they actually work The Pakistani vintage car scene has recently been rekindled. The formation of the vintage car club in Pakistan has really helped spread awareness. This club has also been helpful for the people who are or plan to restore their cars to their former glory. The club acts as a family aiding and assisting other member weather in the form of advice or parts. The club has inspired people to look after and own special gems that were before left for dead.

Ever since the government has allowed the motor vehicle industry to import cars, the options available to the customers have quadrupled. The options available to the potential buyer have risen sharply. The industry has had a very secure and sustained growth due to the high barriers of entry to the sector. Ever since the imported cars have started to land in the country, the buyers have had difficulties in order to determine which car, now, fulfills their requirements and needs. Where a person could only find a cultus to buy, now, has many other options to look from. Different factors now affect the potential buyer’s decision to choose a car from the lot.

Out of the many factors that affect the decision of a person to purchase a car, some are available in the cars that are locally produced. Japanese cars also outweigh the locally manufactured cars in many aspects. A Japanese car is much likely to be of higher quality than their counterpart. From the dashboard finish to the quality of the seats, from lights to the wood grain, the Japanese outweigh the locally manufactured car. The price of the cars also affects their sales and trends, although the Japanese cars that are imported are mostly used, the do offer the specs that a brand new car built locally wouldn’t provide. If a customer goes around the market to buy a Suzuki Cultus built locally, he would find that he does have an option of spending the same amount as he is spending on a cultus, but his options would quadruple if he wishes or decides to buy an imported car rather than a locally made car. It’s not just the initial investment that affects the buyer’s decision to choose from a locally built or an imported car. The cost of using or running the car also requires detailed attention as to if the vehicle is feasible to own or not. Although the imported cars are used, but the fuel consumption of these cars is far more efficient that their counterparts. This efficient fuel consumption may not be an affecting factor for some of the buyers, but if we look at the cumulative situation, it does allow the person to achieve higher cost savings in the long run.

Due to the conditions of the roads present in the country and the literacy of the people of the community, safety has turned out to be one important factor that affects who wins the battle of the imported vs local car industry. Despite being already used, rebuilt and/or fixed, the Japanese cars come equipped with airbags. The discussion as if airbags do play a significant role during an accident to save the person or not may be a debate in itself but the fact that they at least are present in the imported cars do allow the Japanese cars to outweigh the locally made cars. Most Japanese cars would be equipped with not just one, but many airbags. On the other side, the local manufacturers do not prefer to load the cars with the airbags. This preference is not just made for the small 800cc to 1000cc cars, but a person spending over a million rupees may not find them in his new car.

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One person’s car is another person’s scenery.

Jonathan Ive

Automobile Experts is a leading provider of automotive industry information. Our news, analysis, research and forecasts have been informing the decisions of automotive stakeholders, including all of the Pakistan’s major vehicle manufacturers. The blogs include all information about local, imported, sports and vintage cars.

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