Suzuki Alto carries Mehran’s legacy as Pakistan’s best-selling car

ISLAMABAD: For most Pakistanis, the Suzuki Mehran wasn’t just a car, it was part of everyday life. It ruled the roads for over three decades, and despite being a barebones budget car, it somehow clicked with everyone. 

From first-time car buyers to families looking for a second car, the 800cc Mehran was always a top pick. Even those who could afford something slightly better often chose it because it was reliable, easy to fix, and parts were cheap and everywhere.   

Pak Suzuki finally pulled the plug on the iconic Mehran in March 2019, marking the end of an era. But it didn’t go out quietly. In fact, in its final months, the company ramped up production. In January 2019, PSMC produced 4,033 units, followed by 3,325 in February and 1,916 in March. Not bad for a car everyone knew was on its way out. Clearly, people weren’t ready to let go the 90’s best-selling car, and Pak Suzuki knew it.   

After the last Mehrans rolled out, demand soared. Prices at local showrooms shot up by as much as Rs250,000 above the actual cost, and buyers paid the “on money” without blinking. That alone says a lot about the place Mehran had in the market.   

But Pak Suzuki wasn’t caught off guard. They already had a replacement for this best-seller in mind. Around that time, 660cc Japanese imports were becoming popular, especially in cities where fuel efficiency and compact size mattered. Pak Suzuki saw the gap and moved fast. They launched the first locally assembled 660cc Suzuki Alto.   

At first, though, not everyone was impressed.   

Many people criticised the Alto for its looks. Social media was full of jokes, with some calling it a “sabun dani” (soap box) and others comparing it to a mini Suzuki Potohar. The headlights in the bumper also didn’t go down well with everyone. To a lot of people, it just looked odd.  

But looks aren’t everything.   

Soon, people started realising that this new Alto ticked a lot of the right boxes. It gave them something they had been looking for a fuel-efficient, compact, brand-new 660cc car backed by Pak Suzuki’s service network.   

For many buyers who were earlier eyeing used or reconditioned Japanese imports, the Alto was a fresh alternative. No shady import history, no tampered odometers, and no guessing how long the car would last. It was local, brand new, and carried the peace of mind that came with Suzuki’s name.   

Slowly but surely, the Alto started gaining ground. It wasn’t just replacing the Mehran, it was building its own identity.   

Sales figures told the story. Month after month, Alto dominated the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) charts. Even now, Alto continues to top the list as the most sold car in the country. 

Take January 2025, for instance. Suzuki Cultus sold 475 units, and WagonR just 242. In contrast, the Alto sold a whopping 5,040 units, a huge leap from the 2,983 units sold in January 2024. That’s not just consistent performance, it’s dominance.   

Of course, like any popular car, the Alto hasn’t been without controversy.   

A while ago, videos started circulating online showing Altos badly damaged in accidents. People started bashing its build quality, calling it a “tin dabba” again, and questioning its safety. There were even rumours floating around that the National Highway Authority (NHA) would ban the Alto from motorways.   

To make things more confusing, another rumour claimed Pak Suzuki was planning to discontinue the Alto altogether.   

But none of it turned out to be true. The motorway ban never happened, and there was no official word about ending Alto’s production. Despite all the noise, the car kept selling. In fact, it didn’t just survive the backlash, it thrived.   

And Pak Suzuki wasn’t sitting idle either. They recently rolled out some much-needed upgrades across all Alto variants. These included new safety and convenience features like a seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX anchors for child seats, a fasten seatbelt indicator, and a new garnish on the back door.   

For the VXR MT and VXR AGS variants, they added power windows at the front and back, a safety pinch guard, and auto up/down function for the driver’s window. The VXR MT now also comes with ABS, and the AGS variant got a side turn lamp.   

In terms of pricing, there’s a variant for nearly every budget.   

The Suzuki Alto VXR comes with a 660cc petrol engine, manual transmission, 2 airbags, power steering, air conditioning, and some other basic features. It’s priced at Rs2,707,000.   

The VXR Upgraded, also manual, has similar specs with minor tweaks, and costs Rs2,827,000, with a delivery time of about two months.   

If you prefer automatic, the VXR AGS has AGS transmission, ABS, 2 airbags, and all the essentials for Rs2,894,000. The upgraded version of this, with a slightly higher price tag of Rs2,989,000, also has a two-month wait.   

At the top, you’ve got the VXL AGS, which adds a 6-inch touchscreen, power mirrors, full power windows, and the works. It’s priced at Rs3,045,000. The upgraded version of this variant costs Rs3,140,000.   

Looking at how the Alto has captured the market, it’s fair to say Pak Suzuki made the right call. Replacing the Mehran was never going to be easy. It had legacy, loyalty, and nostalgia on its side. But the Alto has done more than just fill the gap, it’s become the new face of Pakistan’s affordable car market.   

Sure, it may not have the charm of the old Mehran, and yes, it still gets its fair share of criticism, but the numbers don’t lie. The Alto is now the car that most Pakistanis are buying, and it’s proving to be just as dependable and practical as its predecessor. 

Pak Suzuki took a gamble by bringing in the Alto as a successor, but with its growing popularity and consistent sales, it’s safe to say that gamble has paid off.

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