Is Suzuki Bolan being replaced by a ‘brand new’ minivan in Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD: Suzuki Bolan, the popular minivan used by families, for pick-and-drop services, cargo companies, ambulances, taxis, intercity transportation, and various other purposes, has finally been discontinued in Pakistan.

It is worth noting that the Bolan has dominated the Pakistani auto market since 1983, having faced little to no competition in its category for a long time, until Chinese and other brands entered the scene. This means that the Suzuki Bolan, also known as the “Carry Dabba,” has officially gone out of production after more than three decades.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Suzuki Bolan was another successful vehicle from Pak Suzuki, much like the Suzuki Mehran, which was discontinued in March 2019.

Earlier reports indicated that the automaker would discontinue the Suzuki Bolan and introduce a new minivan as a replacement for the “Carry Dabba.” It is now highly anticipated that Pak Suzuki is planning to introduce the Suzuki Every, which will serve as the Bolan’s replacement in the Pakistani market.

For those thinking that the Suzuki Bolan is being replaced by a “brand new car,” this might not be entirely accurate, as the upcoming vehicle is not unfamiliar to Pakistanis. The variant expected to be released in Pakistan has been widely seen in the market in its 660cc versions, often imported by local car sellers and showrooms dealing in Japanese vehicles.

Interestingly, the Suzuki Every, which is expected to launch in Pakistan, has been present in the country since 2010. For those unaware, the model expected to be introduced is nearly 19 years old. While Suzuki has made minor tweaks to the car over the years, its shape has mostly remained unchanged.

When asked, a Japanese car dealer in Pakistan mentioned that showroom owners and dealers have been importing this particular model since 2009. Therefore, this is not a major change or a “brand new” car.

As of now, the exact price of the upcoming Suzuki Every in Pakistan remains unknown. However, reports suggest it will be priced significantly higher than the Suzuki Bolan. According to PakWheels, the Suzuki Every is expected to be priced at Rs2,600,000. This projected price is Rs900,000 higher than that of the Bolan.

It is also expected that the Suzuki Every will come equipped with features like air conditioning, power steering, and other amenities to enhance the driving and travelling experience. The vehicle is likely to arrive in the market by the second week of October 2024.

The Every is also expected to feature airbags to enhance safety and comply with the Engineering Development Board’s regulations, which mandated airbags in all cars in 2024.

The same vehicle was initially expected to launch soon in the Pakistani auto market but was reportedly delayed due to parts shortages and issues related to Letters of Credit. Some reports suggest that the Suzuki Every may now be launched as early as October 14, 2024.

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