The success of the Automotive Development Policy (ADP) 2016-21 has prompted the government to introduce the Automotive Industry Development and Export Plan (AIDEP) 2021-26.
The new policy is intended to encourage the local production of vehicles. For that reason, it includes a comprehensive list of the benefits provided to all the automakers in the country.
The new policy has pushed automotive groups around the world to turn their attention to Pakistan. One of them is the Guangzhou Automobile Company (GAC).
The company will be arriving in Pakistan in partnership with SUPERPAK Engineering (PVT.) LTD. The CEO Mukhtar Ahmad told ProPakistani two weeks ago, that the company will debut Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicles in Pakistan in November 2021.
This statement leads us to believe that they’ll bring GS3, along with some other vehicles in its lineup, at the Pakistani Auto Show (PAS) 2021. Here are a few GAC vehicles that we reckon will make an appearance in the event:
Note: None of these vehicles have been confirmed by the company to make an appearance. This is a speculative article.
GAC GS3
In his discussion with ProPakistani, Ahmad said that the company will be importing CBU units of GS 3 crossover SUV in Pakistan next month. The GS3 is a subcompact crossover SUV that will go up against Kia Stonic, MG ZS, and DFSK Glory 500.
In the international market, the GS3 SUV is offered with a choice of two engines; a turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 134 horsepower (hp) and 202 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque, and a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 114 hp and 150 Nm of torque. The latter is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the former can be had with the 6-speed automatic only.
Being a modern, first-generation product, GS3 is equipped with a number of features such as active headrests, airbags, blind-spot warning, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), 360-degree camera, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), traction control, among other amenities.
Given that the company plans to introduce GS3 in Pakistan next month, it seems highly probable that the vehicle will make an appearance in Pakistan.
GAC GS4
Ahmad also informed that soon after the brand’s formal launch, the company also plans to introduce a compact SUV in the Pakistani market. Although he did not mention the SUV in particular, we reckon it will be the GS4.
It is a compact crossover SUV that competes with the likes of Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, MG HS, etc. It is offered in the international markets with two powertrains; a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 169 hp and 265 Nm of torque, and a turbocharged and hybrid electric motor-assisted 1.5-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 177 hp and 300 newton-meters of torque.
The former is mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the latter is mated to a 7-speed Wet DCT automatic transmission.
The features of the GS4 are almost the same as the GS3 SUV, along with the addition of an all-digital driver’s display unit, a modern infotainment unit, and a few driver assistance features such as radar cruise control, lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, etc.
Although the GS4 is planned to launch in Pakistan next year, it is expected that the SUV will make an appearance at the Autoshow to generate some hype among the Pakistani public.
GAC GA4
During his discussion with ProPakistani, Ahmad also shared the company’s plans to launch a compact sedan in Pakistan, without naming any particular vehicle. The car that we reckon he was talking about, is the GS4.
It is a compact sedan that competes with the likes of Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and other vehicles in the same segment. Like other vehicles in this article, the GA4 is offered with two engine options; a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 114 hp and 150 Nm of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 134 hp and 202 Nm of torque.
The 1.5-liter engine is offered with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, while the 1.3T is offered either the same manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The vehicle is fitted with modern amenities such as an 8-inch infotainment system, 360-degree camera, driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags, blind-spot monitoring, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), TPMS, traction control, cruise control, among several other features.
Given the company’s intentions to launch a sedan in Pakistan in the coming year, we reckon that it will place the GA4 on display as well, to appeal to a larger audience.
