Remembering the Proficient- Pakistan’s First Locally Produced Automobile

[CSPK]

Generation of today might not have heard of the Proficient pickup. It was developed during the mid-1980s, by a local engineer Mr. Khalil ur Rahman (late) and was Pakistan’s very first locally assembled 1,000cc pickup. Proficient trucks were as good as most of the foreign brands and were cheaper as well. It competed in the small pickup and medium truck market, primarily against the Suzuki.

However, the Proficient project suffered badly due bureaucratic hurdles and lack of support from the government, which then introduced an untimely policy of concessionary rate on CBU imports of Suzuki pickups (known as ‘Ravi’ today), same capacity as the locally conceived Proficient.

In spite of import duties and taxes paid, the Proficient was available at three quarters of the price of a Suzuki even though the latter was totally exempt from all duties and taxation.

I still remember Proficient pickups back in my school days, when we visited their dealership which was located behind Rabi Center, Tariq Road, Karachi. We envied the Pakistan made pickups a lot but were unaware that their fate was not bright enough. The government policy hurt the local project very badly, and the decision makers back then opted for the Suzuki CBU imports rather than supporting a home grown brand.

Complete Article: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2018/10...-pakistans-first-locally-produced-automobile/

 

[Abdussamad]

So it was cheaper but still managed to fail? It must have been of lower quality.

 

[Foxtrot Delta]

Japanese auto mafia is very strong in pakistan.

 

[Pakistani Aircraft]

Another Pakistani failure like the Revo car.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

The Automobile sector in Pakistan needs to be re-written , foreign companies should be forced to design a engine in Pakistan if they wish to open for Business in Pakistan

 

[S.Y.A]

So it was cheaper but still managed to fail? It must have been of lower quality.

maybe, maybe not. but when an imported option is available for a few more bucks, people will always go for the imported one. secondly, appetite for loss is also a big factor. a local investor will never be able to compete with a multinational giant.

 

[khail007]

I remember, some parts of PROFICIENT were even produced under contract by PAC, the time when there were not too much activities at PAC workshops.

Could you have some saying in Turk political system. If yes, please revive the PAK-TURK Schools in Pakistan with the help of Turk government with same Turk staff. Our children are missing that golden era.

 

[CSPK]

for those who might not have gone through the link, some key points are:

• The government refused the facilitation of basic amenities such as electricity, water and telephones to the Proficient factory.
• In spite of import duties and taxes paid, the Proficient was available at three quarters of the price of a Suzuki even though the latter was totally exempt from all duties and taxation.
• As the owners put it: “The Suzuki company can buy the entire government with just one day’s earnings.” Since there is no doubt that the Proficient pickup is going to compete in the same market as the Suzuki Carry, they argue, all the arsenal at the government’s disposal is being utilized to try and scuttle this project, or to at least render it noncompetitive.”
• Experts at the Institute of Engineers and Technicians in England, declared the Proficient sound by all standards. However the government refused its certification stating it doesn't comply with safety standards.
• The company’s request for permission to manufacture a family sedan equipped with a 1000cc engine was rejected by the concerned authorities. It was obviously linked to the Suzuki plant’s latest project of manufacturing the 1000cc Suzuki Swift.

 

[BATMAN]

So it was cheaper but still managed to fail? It must have been of lower quality.

It was killed by the bureaucracy of Pakistan.
Plant was in I-10 Islamabad.

 

[Village life]

It was killed by the bureaucracy of Pakistan.
Plant was in I-10 Islamabad.

Not by beurocracy alone ,,,,

 

[Syed1.]

Yup definitely looks like made in Pakistan...

 

[jupiter2007]

maybe, maybe not. but when an imported option is available for a few more bucks, people will always go for the imported one. secondly, appetite for loss is also a big factor. a local investor will never be able to compete with a multinational giant.

Government-Private venture can compete with Japanese Car mafia. Countries are going toward all electric cars and we are still producing cars with 90s technology.

 

[S.Y.A]

for those who might not have gone through the link, some key points are:

• The government refused the facilitation of basic amenities such as electricity, water and telephones to the Proficient factory.
• In spite of import duties and taxes paid, the Proficient was available at three quarters of the price of a Suzuki even though the latter was totally exempt from all duties and taxation.
• As the owners put it: “The Suzuki company can buy the entire government with just one day’s earnings.” Since there is no doubt that the Proficient pickup is going to compete in the same market as the Suzuki Carry, they argue, all the arsenal at the government’s disposal is being utilized to try and scuttle this project, or to at least render it noncompetitive.”
• Experts at the Institute of Engineers and Technicians in England, declared the Proficient sound by all standards. However the government refused its certification stating it doesn't comply with safety standards.
• The company’s request for permission to manufacture a family sedan equipped with a 1000cc engine was rejected by the concerned authorities. It was obviously linked to the Suzuki plant’s latest project of manufacturing the 1000cc Suzuki Swift.

the stories of 70s nationalization(BECO is an example) and now this makes me want to just scream in frustration.

 

[Samlee]

the stories of 70s nationalization(BECO is an example) and now this makes me want to just scream in frustration.

Me Too