KARACHI: ” Kashif ponders, “I wanted an Every three decades ago.” In his memory, Suzuki’s Every was a moonroof-equipped automatic. Now, fast forward to the present day, and the 660cc Every, which just came out, doesn’t quite live up to that dream.
It is evident that Suzuki went above and beyond for this launch. At showrooms, deals staff were anxious to offer tea, chips, patties, and sandwiches, with Coke Studio tunes playing behind the scenes. However, despite the warm welcome, the salespeople at the three dealerships the Dawn team visited on Sunday, when the vehicle was officially unveiled to the public, outnumbered potential customers 3:1.
However, the Every is not brand-new to our roads. It has been a popular reconditioned import for a long time. The all-purpose, long-running Bolan has finally been discontinued, and the Every is poised to take over, so it now has some big shoes to fill with local assembly.
The Bolan, that familiar “dabba,” was a quintessential part of our past — whether packed with families heading to the beach or used as the reliable school van. Although Suzuki is pulling out all the stops for the launch of its new 660cc cargo vehicle, only time will tell if it matches the versatility of the venerable “dabba.” Bolans, formerly known as the Hi-Roof, were used to outfit even Edhi’s ambulances, which were always on the front lines of emergency care.
With a price tag of more than Rs2.7 million, the new 660cc manual-transmission Every looks more like a microwave on wheels than its predecessor. It is frequently compared to Changan’s Karavan, which has an automatic transmission, a 1200cc engine, and a Rs3 million price tag.
Notwithstanding its unpretentious appearance, the Each is a huge jump forward from the Bolan. Airbags, cup holders, above racks, keyless passage, back safety belts — highlights that appear to be fundamental by current principles however are progressive assuming your reference point is the ‘dabba’, which hadn’t seen critical updates in thirty years.
The Every’s back seat can be folded flat to increase space, living up to its reputation as a cargo vehicle. It also has a lot of safety features, like anti-pinching technology in the windows, which is good for school vans because it keeps little fingers from getting stuck. Nonetheless, those equivalent windows could have to remain down, as our test drive uncovered that without back air vents, the back gets hot even with the air conditioner staying at work longer than required.
However, the manager of the used car and exchange department at Margalla Motors in Karachi, Mubashir Niyaz, claims that there have been other improvements as well. According to him, while an Alto’s spark plugs require replacement every 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers, the Every’s spark plugs can last up to 60,000 kilometers. Additionally, the Every has 10 millimeters more ground clearance than the Bolan, which is advantageous for those who have driven on Karachi’s pothole-filled roads.
With hot air rising from the floor, riding in the Bolan frequently felt like being jostled by a particularly temperamental donkey. The Every has a smoother ride because of its improved suspension system; however, it should be noted that this was a zero-meter vehicle, so only time will tell how well it performs in local conditions.
An experienced Suzuki driver who participated in the test said that the Every’s “pick” was significantly superior to the previous model. Driving was made easier by the gearshift inside the dashboard, and the steering was “softer.” Additionally, the Every outperforms the Bolan with 43 horsepower, compared to the Bolan’s 37 BHP, making it better suited for carrying heavier loads.
Mr Niyaz additionally featured Each’s eco-friendliness, getting started at 14-15km per liter in intercity driving with the air conditioner on. This is predictable with figures on Suzuki’s Japan site, and keeping in mind that it’s generally comparable to the Bolan’s eco-friendliness, it might offer a slight edge.
A quick look at Suzuki Japan’s website reveals some differences, despite claims by dealership salespeople that the Every launched in Pakistan is the same model available in Japan. While many elements are comparable, the Pakistani rendition misses the mark on choices, similar to a rearview camera and an AV screen. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Every has USB connectivity. Each in Japan starts at 1,838,100 yen, which is approximately Rs3.4 million without taking into account logistics and other costs.
However, the price is the real obstacle for purchasers. The price of the Every had been circulating in the market, despite the fact that the precise details were not made public until launch day. Sales representatives acknowledged that the high price discouraged many potential buyers, particularly when the final locally manufactured Bolan sold for Rs1.9 million, a significant difference.
According to Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association statistics, the Bolan sold approximately 30,000 units in FY16. That number had decreased to 2,800 by FY24, in part as a result of Pakistan’s difficult macroeconomic environment and rising interest rates.
As a replacement to the cherished Bolan, the Each ha a ton to demonstrate. It remains to be seen whether it will live up to the legacy.
