All the New Cars Launched in 2021
2021 is about to end, and let’s just take a moment to say what a year it has been! So much happened this year, new car launches, new budget, new auto policies, car price reductions, car price hikes, petrol price hikes, and what not. For now, let’s talk about all the new cars launched in 2021.
This year, we welcomed a hatchback, five sedans, seven crossovers and SUVs (one EV, two hybrids), and a jeep. That makes a total of 15 car launches in one year. It was a mix of imported CBUs and locally assembled CKD cars.
Here are all the car launches of 2021, from January to November.
1. United Alpha
Yes, United Alpha was the first car of 2021. Launched on the 2nd of January, the 1000cc hatchback came as a bigger more powerful sibling of the 800cc Bravo.
United Motors once reduced and then increased the price of Alpha. But the car’s current price is same as its launch price.
2. Changan Alsvin
The second car launched in 2021 was a budget sedan by Changan. The company unveiled Changan Alsvin in December 2020, but announced the official prices and opened the bookings in January 2021.
3. MG ZS
After an affordable hatchback and a sedan, we got the cheapest SUV of Pakistan, the MG ZS. MG launched ZS as a cheaper version of the MG HS for everyone who liked the HS but couldn’t afford it.
Like MG HS, the ZS was also launched as CBU import. But the small crossover didn’t get as popular as its older sibling. MG revised the price of ZS once with an increase of Rs. 3 lacs.
4. KIA Sorento
After winning the hearts of Pakistani buyers with Sportage, KIA launched a 7-seater SUV, the KIA Sorento, in February. The company launched three variants of Sorento at market competitive prices to go against Toyota Fortuner.
Like all other vehicles, KIA is locally assembling the Sorento. Since the car is for the upper-class SUV buyers, there are only a handful of Sorento units on the roads.
Here are the prices of three Sorento variants at the time of launch vs now.
5. Hyundai Elantra
After United, Changan, MG, and KIA, Hyundai took the turn and launched a premium sedan opposite to Corolla and Civic.
The best part about Elantra is that, unlike others, it’s current price is less than the launch price. Have a look.
6. Haval Jolion
A new entrant that debuted in the local market this year was Haval, a sub-brand of Great Wall Motors (GWM) of China. The company partnered with Pakistan’s auto-rickshaw manufacturer Sazgar Engineering Works Limited (SEWL) and brought two SUVs in March. One of them was an entry-level small SUV, the Haval Jolion.
Haval imported a limited number of CBU units of both its SUVs and those units were all booked within a week. Later, the company reopened the bookings in June with a short window of only three days. As of now, the bookings are still closed as Haval is still working on the delivery of already booked units of Jolion.
Here is the launch and current price of Haval Jolion.
7. Haval H6
Haval H6 is the other Haval SUV that Sazgar Engineering brought to Pakistan. This one is also a CBU import, but more premium and expensive than Jolion. Just like Jolion, Haval is currently busy importing and delivering the booked units of H6.
The company is also planning to launch a hybrid variant of H6. The first unit of Haval H6 HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is already here in Pakistan going through trial and testing.
Here is the launch and current price of Haval H6.
8. Proton Saga
After Alsvin, we got another budget sedan in April 2021, the Proton Saga. But the fun thing about Saga is Proton launched five variants of this sedan. Two of them were Limited Sports variants with only 100 units up for grabs.
Another fun fact is that we have both imported CBU and locally produced CKD units of Saga. Proton launched Saga as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) unit. For months, the company sold the imported CBU units of Saga until very recently. As of now, Proton is actively delivering the locally produced CKD Saga units.
Here are the prices of three Proton Saga variants at the time of launch vs now.
9. Toyota Corolla Cross
Globally, Toyota is working on hybrid technology of cars. Keeping the company’s vision in mind, Toyota Indus introduced a hybrid car in Pakistan, the Toyota Corolla Cross.
Since May the company has been selling Completely Built Units (CBU) units of this SUV, imported from Thailand, where it was the best-selling car for three consecutive months. But the premium hybrid SUV hasn’t got much success in the local market.
Toyota hasn’t touched the prices of three variants of Corolla Cross. The company is trying to sell the CBU lot at the old rates.
10. MG ZS EV
When MG introduced the ZS, the company said they would also bring the electric version of the SUV and so they did. The company revealed the price of MG ZS EV in June.
11. Hyundai Sonata
Another Hyundai sedan that made its debut in the local market this year is the Hyundai Sonata. The company displayed the first CKD units of Sonata in an exclusive event in June and later revealed the official prices of two variants in July.
Hyundai introduced Sonata when other car companies were bringing their latest and greatest SUVs to the market. Hyundai saw a market gap for a local D-segment sedan and took advantage of it. Sonata is the best car for buyers who want the luxury of an Accord or Camry in the price of 6.5 to 7.5 million.
Here are the prices of two Sonata variants at the time of launch vs now.
12. Honda City
When Changan Alsvin and Proton Saga were trying their best to sway the budget sedan buyers, Honda launched a new generation of City in July 2021. And the market went bananas.
Although we didn’t get the latest 7th generation Honda City in Pakistan, still the old 6th generation City won thousands of sales even before the official launch and price reveal. It’s been months since the new City hit the market, but the car is still in demand.
Here are the prices of five Honda City variants at the time of launch vs now.
13. MG HS PHEV
After bringing the electric version of MG ZS, the company went on to add another EV to its SUV lineup. This time, they brought a plug-in hybrid variant of an already successful product in the market, presenting the MG HS PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Like all other MG cars, MG HS PHEV is also a CBU (Completely Built-Up) model.
Launched in September, the MG HS PHEV is still new in the market. It’s price is the same as it was at the time of launch.
14. KIA Stonic
In November, KIA Lucky Motors added a third crossover to its SUV lineup. A 140cc B-segment crossover utility vehicle (CUV) KIA Stonic. It’s KIA’s smallest crossover that sits two steps under Sportage.
The biggest surprise about KIA Stonic was its price. KIA launched this CUV at the price of Pakistan’s C-segment sedans Corolla, Civic, and Elantra. Buyers liked Stonic so much that the first batch of 500 units was booked within a day. KIA is still working on the delivery of those 500 booked units.
It’s only been a month since the launch of KIA Stonic, so the prices of its variants haven’t changed.
15. BAIC BJ40 Plus
After Haval, Sazgar Engineering brought another new entrant to the local market this year, China’s BAIC. The two companies collaborated to make a local copy of the iconic Jeep Wrangler and launched it in November.
While others launched sedans and SUVs, BAIC did a completely different thing and brought a jeep to absolutely fall for. They are calling it “the king of off-road vehicles in Pakistan”.
BAIC was offering an early bird discount of 2 lacs on bookings of BJ40 Plus till December 10. The discount offer is over, but the bookings are still open.
There you have it, the list of all new cars launched in 2021. Your turn to rate these new cars from your most to least favourite, go!