The Prius, introduced by the IMC, has been customised for Pakistan road conditions with improved ground clearance and a robust suspension system. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: The Indus Motor Company (IMC) has started the import of completely-built (CBU) units of ‘Toyota Prius’, a third generation vehicle equipped with the latest hybrid technology, with the car now being made available at the company’s sales showrooms.
IMC, an affiliate of Toyota Japan in Pakistan, said the company will import the complete car or CBUs and its retail price has been fixed at Rs4.49 million. The price is inclusive of 37.5% customs duty and 17% General Sales Tax (GST) which makes the total government duties to 43% of the total price.
The current generation Prius is globally known for its advance hybrid technology that enables its customers to achieve excellent fuel efficiency and enhanced performance with very little or almost negligible emissions. Due to these technological and environment friendly attributes, Toyota has sold over 5 million Hybrid vehicles globally.
The Prius, introduced by the IMC, has been customised for Pakistan road conditions with improved ground clearance and a robust suspension system, said the officials on Tuesday at the launch of the car.
The company believed it would easily sell around 100-150 Toyota Prius in a year, a top official said on Tuesday, adding that the launch is a success as it is launching hybrid technology for the first time in Pakistan.
The company was working on the project for over a year-and-a-half as they see a huge demand for hybrid vehicles in Pakistan.
“What we request from the new government is to provide a level playing field,” IMC CEO Parvez Ghias said. “We want the government to support the local industry for introducing new vehicles including hybrid cars at an affordable price. We hope that it will take appropriate steps to promote and encourage further investments.”
Company officials, speaking on the occasion, said that there are four key benefits of hybrid cars including high fuel efficiency, low emissions, driving performance and quietness.
Chief Engineer Koji Toyoshima said that Prius’ design, styling, features and technology collectively provide eco-friendly comfort and intuitive driving experience to its users.
Comparing Prius with used imported cars, company officials say IMC will provide complete warranty, comprehensive after sales support and parts to the customers — something they do not get when they import used vehicles in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (22)
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When you have cars like toyota Allion available in the country for around Rs 20 lack who wants to buy a Prius any way. The car is only introduced for idiots.
Any body who can afford to pay 45 lakh Rupees to buy a Prius, can easily afford to run a luxury petrol driven vehicle on petrol and does not need a hybrid car. The cost should have been in an affordable price for a middle class Pakistani to have made a noticeable impact on petrol savings/imports on a national level. At present price, only selected few will buy it which will hardly make any difference in fuel savings/fuel imports on a national level
And btw stop blaming IMC!
@Asim: You're right, but like you said, in Pakistan we have things in opposite, I've seen Prado V8 with CNG cylinders, how cool is that?
@unbelievable: If they provided incentives you would start complaining that Pakistan borrows money from the rest of the world to provide subsidies for its citizens instead of standing on its own two feet. Your only purpose here is to criticize Pakistan.
@Khurram Awan:
I think that's nonsense - if your goal is to reduce energy then it's foolish to tax and otherwise place barriers on purchasing an energy efficient vehicle. To my knowledge all Prius are build in Japan - they cancelled plans to build them in USA where it's the tenth best selling vehicle. If so - your idea that other countries only provide an incentive based on mfg or technology transfer is bogus.
Anyone who can afford to buy a car for 4.49M would not buy such a car as fuel costs would not be a problem for them. The reason a Hybrid cars are given rebates or sold cheaper in the western world is that people buy it more so that it decreases the fuel bill burdon on a country importing oil and it is better for the enviroment. But, as usual Pakistan we have things in opposite.
What PKR 4.99 Million for Local PRIUS?? No its a kind of Joke with us Imported Japanese 2014 PRIUS is available at PKR 2.8 Million with all Taxes & 2010 Model is available at PKR 1.8-2.0 Million but 45 Lacs are you Killing me?? This is not a good deal & IMC should look at that.Stop Looting People its too much...
We will have to run it for around 50000 kilometers just to break even to corolla Gil cost based on 12 km/ liter mileage vs 24 km/ liter mileage....savings based on current petrol prices....yaaay
I am so glad toyota/IMC has introduced this car in Pakistan. The people who really worry about fuel economy will now be relieved that they have such a good option available. If Boeing could only allow the common man to buy the latest fuel efficient aero planes then we can all spend a billion dollars and save fuel for our daily commute. Good going marketing team at IMC for setting the "right" price! Btw....how many of YOU will be able to afford this car to save fuel on a daily basis? U do realize that this will boost the used car market for this car as now consumers will be able to get the spare parts and services at your dealers...or was that the game plan from day one???....make money off spares on used car imports???
@unbelievable: Japanese Consider Pakistan as a Dumping ground and nothing else. They never transfer any technology to Pakistan. Pakistan dont impose any duty on any car if you will assemble the car locally but in this case Japanese Car Maker refused to transfer any technology to Pakistani Assembly car makers and also Toyota already refused to assemble Electric and Hybrid vehicles in Pakistan. So Toyota is just importing this car in Pakistan and imposing duties on finished car imports is absolutely alright. Other Countries give subsidies on Electric cars because Japs are manufacturing this car in the respective countries but Our case is different altogether where Toyota refused to assemble Electric cars in Pakistan.
Why not introduce Vitz/Yaris hybrid? Its available globally.
The automotive sector in Pakistan is a scandal of the highest order, almost tantamount to Highway Robbery for the amount they charge for these vehicles. Also, and to a greater extent, the government also exercises its usual pathetic policies in making these cars more costly from exorbitant taxes and duties. Perhaps the SC should take Suo Moto notice of this practice, which has no level of equity in terms of pricing.
Pakistan need small cars for general user under 4 million, but IMC introduce 4.49 million car, why because they will earn (for example) Rs. 4 million on that car while for a small car which cost for customer Rs. 4 million and local assembler will earn Rs. 40,000 only. so, they prefer for higher option. Most of the people who use bikes in Pakistan are willing to have a low cost car but now they don't have any option except Suzuki Mehran, nowadays small imported use cars also very expensive in Pakistan.
A friend recently imported a reconditioned basic model Prius from Japan for 1.85 million. This is inclusive of all duties and taxes. Even with the fuel savings gained though the lifetime of the car, 4.49 million is just not a good deal.
Its price is kept out of rich just to make sure we burn alot of fuel and dont take advantage of hybrid cars :) If all cars in Pakistan are replaced by hybrid cars it can significantly reduce our imports of petroleum products.
Rs4.49 million for just a car man its too costly.
What happened to the Govt initiative in budget that had reduced the taxes for hybrid cards?
Rs4.49 million in pakistan for Toyota Prius??? i would call it LOOT MARR.
In USA, the same car costs around Rs 2.5 million for its lower end and Rs 3.8 million for highest end which includes premium Navigation, solar sunroof, adaptive cruse control and other gadgets.
i am sure, this car introduced in pakistan is the basic model...charging Rs 4.49 million is CRAZY!...that's insane.....i am out.
Other countries who are trying to reduce energy demand provide subsidies as an incentive to purchase energy efficient vehicles -- Pakistan charges you 47% more - that make any sense?