Over 35 bullet proof cars ordered monthly in Pakistan

Director Toyota Motors says the demand is high in private sector, especially businessmen.

KARACHI: The demand for bulletproof cars in Karachi is increasing due to the law and order situation in the industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan.

Director Toyota Central Motors (TCM) Shahzad Godil revealed that approximately 20 orders for bullet proof cars are being placed in Karachi every month. He added that demand for bullet proof vehicles has also increased in other parts of the country, with monthly orders outside of Karachi currently standing at 15-20 per month.

Aside from Karachi, there are three factories manufacturing bullet proof cars - one in Lahore and one each in Islamabad and Peshawar.

“It is unusual that up to 20 orders are being placed for bullet proof cars every month by the private sector, particularly businessmen,” Godil said while briefing the media on the occasion of Toyota Dream Car Arts Contest.

“In the past only politicians and law enforcing agencies used to order bullet proof vehicles,” he further said.

Godil said that four factories are working in Karachi to provide bullet proof cars to users. The cost of bullet proofing of each vehicle is about Rs3 million. The weight of the bullet proof vehicle increases by 50% and so does the fuel consumption by same proportion. There is a 20-30% cost difference in localized bullet proof vehicles and imported ones.

The director also revealed that bullet proof vehicles could sustain an attack using AK-47 assault rifles.