Automark

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has approved the launching of a ‘motorbike ambulance service’ in Lahore and some other major cities of Punjab.
Sources report that the Chief Minister of Punjab has approved the launch of 100 Motorbike Ambulances in the provincial capital-Lahore, while 50 each in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Rawalpindi districts, initially. This scheme is primarily aimed to pick/treat injured and to deal with emergencies in congested areas, where the access to a typical ambulance remains an issue. Not only will this service rush to narrow streets, small roads and poorly accessibly localities, but will also decrease the response times drastically.
Sources reveal that the typical ambulances will follow smaller and nimbler motorbike-ambulances up to main roads to receive the injured from bikers and shift them to nearest hospitals.
This idea of motorbike-ambulances is derived from the Japan, Turkey and UK models and it is also being reported that in the latest development, the Rescue 1122 director-general had initially forwarded the proposal for this service to the Chief Minister, under the health reforms programme.

In March, earlier this year, the government approved a new automobile policy, which offers benefits exclusively for new entrants in the market, including tax incentives, in a bid to aid them in establishing manufacturing plants in the country.
The new auto policy includes the following features:
• One-off duty-free import of plant and machinery for setting up an assembly and manufacturing unit;
• Permission to import 100 vehicles, of the same variants, in the form of completely built units (CBUs) at 50% of the prevailing duty, for test marketing after the project takes off.
• Reduced 10% customs duty on non-localized parts for five years, in place of the previous 32.5% for the new investors.
• For existing investors, the duty will be reduced to 30% from July;
• Localized parts can be imported by the new entrants at 25% duty, as compared to the current 50% for five years.
• For existing players, the duty on import of localized parts
will be brought down to 45% from July, 2016.
The new automotive policy has, indeed, brought in solid interest from foreign as well as local companies, to invest in the automotive sector, with German automotive giants BMW and Audi AG, and French automakers Renault already planning on launching locally-produced cars in Pakistan. On the domestic scale, Yunus Brothers and Kia Motors will also set up auto-assembly plants in the country, whereas Dewan Farooque Motors Limited has applied for resuming vehicle production at its closed unit.
Additionally, the National Logistic Cell has shown interest in investing in the automotive sector in collaboration with Germany, while several Chinese automobile manufacturers and assemblers are also keen on establishing vehicle manufacturing plants in Sindh.
All this foreign as well as local investment in the automobile sector is, undoubtedly, good for Pakistan’s rapidly growing economy. However, it remains to be seen if these European automobile giants do actually enter into the oscillating Pakistani automobile market, and how well they perform should they start manufacturing and launching newer and more expensive brands into the market.
Some questions, however, remain unanswered: Do the people of Pakistan really need this type of transport? Are they ready to allow a larger number of cars on the already congested and heavily-jammed network of roads in the country? Are they ready to pay a higher price for their vehicles, considering
the present difficulties of everyday commute?
Unlike Lahore, Karachi has not been given much attention to in terms of development of infrastructure. Being the largest and, undoubtedly, the busiest city of Pakistan, the people of Karachi have to go through hours of traffic standstills every day because of blocked roads, unattended traffic diversions, and the ever-increasing number of cars and motorbikes. The absence of a mass transit system and a network of good roads has forced the people to revert to smaller modes of transportation, such as motorcycles, and the poor public transport system of minibuses, auto-rickshaws, and taxis, all of whom are key culprits in the worsening traffic situation of the city. The increasing capital inflow is, without a doubt, beneficial for the country’s growing economy, but the solution of the problem does not lie in the inflow of cash. The problems lie much deeper and it would take much more than foreign investment to correct them.

Press Release:

Karachi: The first ever German Engineering and Motor Show (GEAMS) is being held in Karachi Expo Centre from January 26-28, 2017, with world’s renowned companies to showcase their state of the art products and technologies.

Apart from famous German automobiles manufacturers, a number of engineering and motor companies have shown interest to participate. The Nordex SE, Dawood Engineering & Thal Engineering have confirmed their participation while AUDI, BMW, BASF, Evoniks, Hascol, MAN, PORSCHE and Compair (Rastgar Engineering) have shown interest and will confirm their participation very soon.

The event is being organized by Pegasus consultancy, leading event organizer of the country, partnered and supported  by German Pakistan chamber of commerce & industry, embassy of the federal republic of Germany, Islamabad and consulate general of the federal republic of Germany, Karachi & Sindh board of investment, Government of Sindh.

“The exhibition would be a unique collaborative platform for the participating exhibitors and visitors, a best place for B2B negotiations”, the managing director of organizing company, Aamer Khanzda said. “We would be having interactive sessions during the show wherein participants could have discussion on latest technology and trends”, he further said.

The exhibitors besides displaying their latest models automobiles, parts and accessories would also be seeking dealers and distributors for their companies. The inaugural day would be exclusive day while second day business day and third day would be open for the general visitors, Mr. Khanzada added.

Riding on the success of the Defence Products Exhibition, IDEAS 2016, Chairman Pakistan Aerospace Complex, Air Marshal Arshad Malik, hosted a lunch for Pakistani Engineering Sector in which a large number of PAAPAM members were invited. The event was organised to commemorate the launch of Pakistan Aerospace Council as a platform for networking between Pakistani hightech sector and its clients in Pakistan as well as the global market place.

Speaking on the event, Air Marshal Arshad Malik gave an overview of the excellent order book and work load of PAC Kamra and its ability to localise aircraft assemblies required in military and trainer planes produced at Kamra.  He said Kamra valued specialist companies from the automotive sector who could take a step further into aerospace component manufacturing.
Introducing the Pakistan Aerospace Council, Mr. Imtiaz Rastgar, Member PAC Board, stressed on the need for Cluster formation in the aerospace and hightech sector and how this could lead to meeting local needs for hightech while the global market offers immense possibilities for similar parts. He mentioned that there are over 2,000 aeronautics, defence and space related companies in Europe, employing 750,000 people with turnover of 190 Billion Euros. These companies import large quantities of parts and Pakistani high tech sector companies mentored through the CBI Export Coaching Program are already making respectable exports to Europe.

Mr. Rastgar also stressed that every OEM, whether in private or defense sector is successful only on the basis of the health of its supply chain and for this it is important to nurture high tech clusters around the OEMs together with the local universities. He invited all hightec companies to become members of PaeC, www.pakaero.com.pk.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mashood Ali Khan, Chairman PAAPAM, said that several of their member companies are mature to work for the aerospace sector and expected to play their role in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. He thanked he Chairman PAC Kamra for such a welcome to the Pakistani engineering sector and said that PAAPAM would reciprocate by visiting Kamra for a detailed meeting and understanding of their needs.

Also present at the lunch was Qazi Sajid Ali, Chairman, German Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Qazi Sajid said GPCCI platform was important for Pakistani hightech and they would welcome collaboration as well as display of Kamra products at the forthcoming German Auto & Engineering Show, 26-28 January 2017, at Expo KARACHI.

• PRESS RELEASE

A visit to Guangzhou Haojin Motorcycle Co. Ltd.

An exclusive interview with Thomas Peng, Vice G.M. of Haojin Motorcycle Co.

During my recent visit to China to attend the 120^th Canton Fair, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of different representatives from various Chinese Manufacturing and Service Industry, specifically related to Two Wheelers. Amongst many, I had the honour of meeting Mr. Thomas Peng, Vice General Manager International Marketing of Guangzhou Haojin Motorcycle Co. Ltd. In the Canton exhibition, HaoJin motorcycle had launched the new model  “TAURUS”to global market; and at the same moment Haojin won the “Recommended export brand of year 2016@

Guangzhou Haojin Motorcycle Co. Ltd. Is one of the biggest domestic producers of 2W products which range from dynamic and stylish Motorbikes (Sports, Cruisers & Offroad), Scooters &Trikes which features engine displacement capacities in between 100-250cc. The production customers of Haojin are not only domestic but the company is also one of the biggest exporters of the products to international market.

During our meeting, Mr. Thomas honoured me by inviting me to visit the manufacturing facility which I humbly accepted. As planned I visited the manufacturing facility on 19^th October 2016. Mr. Thomas organized a guided tour of the facility in which I saw the production operation in conformance to ISO9001:2000 QMS standards. The state of the art facility is capable of producing hundreds of thousands of unit yet conforming the quality standards. I was taken through the motorcycle assembling facility and the engine manufacturing facility separately and was allowed to photograph the whole facility.

Mr. Thomas then expressed his interest in Pakistani market. He has intention to introduce their product range in Pakistan and to fulfil his intentions he had visited Pakistan earlier and had meetings with few trading organizations in Pakistan but so far he has not received any positive response from any local importer. He believed that the lack of interest is perhaps due to very high concentration of obsolete 70cc motorcycle designs currently being sold to Pakistani consumer market, however he remains positive that due to competitive pricing the products from Haojin can compete in Pakistani market. He specifically mentioned that the competitive pricing did not mean in any case a compromise in quality, as the products can compete on the same quality levels as observed by many other branded bikes in local market.

Concluding this meeting I had sincere hope for Haojin’s introduction to Pakistani market for our consumer market needs good quality modern products which Haojin can offer at a very competitive price.

This exclusive interview published in Monthly AutoMark Magazine’s November-2016 printed edition

by M. Hanif Memon

Dewan Motors inaugurated Pakistan’s first public charging station for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at Emporium Mall in Lahore.

“Today is an important milestone for the BMW Group: not only does it mark the inauguration of the first public BMW charging station in Pakistan but also the first in the entire region. We call this service BMW ChargeNow,” said Mr. Johannes Seibert, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East.

“Dewan Motors’ investment in this technology is a significant step in supporting the BMW Group’s vision to offer Electromobility internationally, and in providing easy access to charging stations for customers of our plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles,” he added.

By 2030, 60 % of the world’s population is expected to live in cities. When it comes to shaping future mobility, the BMW Group considers the entire value chain, offering innovative services and solutions to improve urban mobility.

Foreseeing the growth potential of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in the country, Dewan Motors took the first step towards electric mobility in Pakistan by installing a BMW ChargeNow station. This is the first of the three stations to be installed by the end of this year.

BMW ChargeNow is a network of charging stations that provides BMW plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle owners with easy, quick and secure charging services.

“The latest BMW plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles offer even greater mobility than conventional Hybrid vehicles making it possible to have everyday motoring purely on electric mode with practically little to no requirement for fossil fuels”, said Mr. Dewan Mohammad Yousuf Farooqui, Chairman, Dewan Motors.

“Not only does this result in minimum to zero emissions; but also tremendous fuel savings. This as you know sir, has a direct and very positive impact on foreign exchange reserves of the country”, added Mr. Farooqui.

Curtsey: Propakistani

Motorbikes, A word humans usually associate with individuality, passion, enthusiasm, adrenaline, customization, fineness and above all liberation. Motorcyclists around the globe usually are people who may start up riding motorbikes as a part of mere necessity but the love of riding and joy of unstable stability is what appeals many to become motorcyclists for their entire lives.

In Pakistan, most of our population rides affordable small engine globally obsolete variants of motorbikes for catering their needs. These motorbikes serve as family saloons for the lower middle class and we often see a family of 4 riding along. As the inflation rose a decade ago raising the value of the 4 wheeler, so came the influx of Chinese motorbikes thus enabling the affordability of two wheelers for the masses.

As the world recovered from global financial crisis and Pakistan emerges from the stranglehold of terrorism, the prosperity in the past 5 years have risen altogether. With the prosperity flourishing the middleclass motorcyclist searches for a motorbike which not only serves the need but also fulfills the thrills of brisk acceleration and a comfortable ride, both of the aspects which couldn’t be associated with an affordable Chinese motorbike of obsolete design.

For this purpose enthusiasts turned to Suzuki Motorbikes and particularly towards Suzuki GS 150. A bike that is known to be the most comfortable & powerful, carbureted locally produced motorbike of recent times with a retro design.As the interest of the motorcyclists rose, the sale figures of GS 150 climbed as well.

GS 150 is particularly known for its higher sprung weight which gives the rider comfort and high speed stability. The powerful engine displacing 150cc of Air/Fuel mix is also a masterpiece which propels the bike smoothly yet the acceleration doesn’t seem to stop even beyond 100kph thanks to the 5 speed sliding mesh gearbox. These are the reasons which have made the GS 150 a bike famous for long distance touring purpose.

Humans are perfectionists.This means of having the very special ability of finding areas of improvement even with the perfect product. As more and more users acquainted with GS 150, areas of improvement were highlighted. Due to its heavier weight the need for a front disc brake was realized. Most of the users who bought GS 150 replaced its rear tire with a wider tire for better traction as well as in general opinion the standard factory tire was suited for obtaining better fuel economy but yielded lesser grip.

Considering the user opinions, PSMCL has recently launched Suzuki GS 150 SE.Unlike most of the competing manufacturers in which a model change only means change of graphic stickers,this version now comes not only with stylish graphics but with front Disc Brake and wider rear tire as a standard. Alongside these updates we also get casted wheels, which add style while requirement of regular maintenance and alignment from spoke wheels is also eliminated. The motorbike features new front fenders and new shock absorbers as well. The shock absorbers have been upgraded to cope with the additional loading on the front fork due to addition of Disc Brakes.

By Shahzad Tabish

Published in Monthly AutoMark Magazine’s November-2016 printed edition.

Pakistani auto market is monopolized by the Toyota, Honda and Suzuki. According to reliable sources the official of Nissan and Renault met with officials form Board of investment and Engineering Development Board in a meeting to discuss the plan of introducing new cars by Nissan and Renault in Pakistan.

Group Renault is a French multinational automobile manufacturer. Nissan is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer.
Last month, Ishaq Dar met the representatives of Renault to resolve their queries about the new import/export policy Pakistan has devised for car manufacturers looking to expand their businesses here in Pakistan.
New measures for expansion, investment and consumer protection in auto sector of Pakistan were proposed by Economic Coordination Committee after reviewing the Auto Policy, headed by the finance minister.
Miftah Ismail, chairman of Board of Investment Said, “We expect there will be one or two foreign investors coming into Pakistan…. hope some people will bite”. He further said that we would like to have as many manufacturers as possible in Pakistan by ensuring protection to our local manufacturers.
The major attraction for companies such as Renault is the new policy which allows these investors to import tax free manufacturing plant equipment and pay less taxes on import of parts when assembly starts plus various other incentives that can help new entrants in the automotive industry to set up their operations in Pakistan.

Nissan chief spokesperson Jonathan Adashek said: “Pakistan is certainly a market of interest for us at present”, but added no final decision had been made.

Police in southern China are punishing drivers who dazzle other road users with full-beam headlights by making them stare into the lights for a minute, it’s reported.

Shenzhen Traffic Police posted photos of the campaign in action on their official Weibo account. “Tonight we are carrying out punishments using a high beam,” the post reads. It’s racked up 87,000 likes and been shared 93,000 times. The photos show people sitting directly in front of a car with its headlights on.

Official media say drivers are fined 300 yuan ($44; £36) and made to spend 60 seconds in front of the beam. But some news websites have suggested that the headlight element is optional, although it’s unclear why people would choose it on top of paying a fine.

The force faced criticism for a similar initiative in 2014, but nonetheless decided to start it up again on Tuesday. This time around, the reaction has been largely positive. Several other local police forces gave it the thumbs-up on their social media accounts, and a poll on the mainstream Sina news portal found that 90% of people approved.

On the Weibo microblogging site, many people agree. “Am I the only one who thought a minute was too short?” reads one comment, which garnered 12,000 likes from other users. Another person feels the campaign is “long overdue”, while one berates “selfish, inconsiderate drivers”. A few people are concerned that the punishment could seriously damage eyesight, and one declares: “This is a human rights violation”.

Shenzhen’s traffic police have opted for unconventional penalties before. Last year, they made jaywalkers choose between paying a fine or wearing a green hat and vest while directing traffic.

source – BBC