ISLAMABAD: Pak Suz­uki Motor Company on Satu­rday unveiled Alto 660cc, the replacement of Mehran.

Senior Managers of the company including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Pak Suzuki Motors Masaumi Harano launched the ‘Pearl Red’ coloured model of the car, while there are six more colour variants at a ceremony held at Pak-China Friendship Centre.

The new Alto 660cc will replace Mehran, which was known as the cheapest locally manufactured car in Pakistan for 30 years as the first model of Mehran was launched in 1989, incidentally that too was named ‘Alto’ by the company.

The new Alto is the first-ever locally manufactured 660cc model and it comes in three models -- two manual and one fully loaded automatic. The price ranges from Rs999,000 to Rs1,295,000.

The new Alto powered by 660cc R-series engine, modern design, spacious interior, and Japanese technology, is being manufactured at Bin Qasim plant of the company.

The company claims that it will exhibit great fuel economy, along with warranty of 3-year or 60,000km, whichever comes first.

Speaking at the launch Harano said that Pakistan is one of the fastest growing economy globally and the automobile industry is geared to grow in the country.

He highlighted the role played by Pak Suzuki towards technological advancement of the automobile sector, as well as the development of domestic vendor base.

The company had stopped further booking of ‘Mehran’ in April, and the Alto 660cc was first displayed in Karachi at Pakistan Auto Show 2019.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019