After more than 35 years on the roads of Pakistan, the journey of the iconic Suzuki Bolan, fondly known as the “Carry Dabba,” has come to an end.
After legendary Mehran, BOLAN (dabba) also being discontinued by Suzuki in 🇵🇰🇵🇰
— Abdul Rehman Najam (@AbdulRehman0292) September 20, 2024
Will be replaced by EVERY. Just like Mehran, millions of Pakistani's have some sort of memories attached with this car.
End of an era 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/ldNDaitMMK
This humble vehicle, which became a familiar sight across cities and towns, earned its place as a reliable multi-purpose van. Whether it was transporting families, being used as a school van, or serving as a commercial vehicle, the Bolan was valued for its versatility.
Introduced in the 1980s, the Suzuki Bolan quickly became the go-to option for many due to its affordable price and practical design. Its compact size and simple mechanics made it easy to maintain, and over the years, it became deeply embedded in daily life in Pakistan. For many, it wasn’t just a vehicle; it was a symbol of convenience and accessibility, catering to the needs of both urban and rural communities.
However, as technology and consumer preferences evolved, the Suzuki Bolan started to fall behind in terms of safety features, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Newer models from competitors began offering more advanced features, leaving the once-popular “Carry Dabba” to struggle in the market.
The news about the end of Suzuki Bolan’s production started making rounds on social media after a photo of an unfinished vehicle surfaced, showing a poster that read, “Bye Bye Y88V Bolan, End of Production, and Last Chassis Number 01151691.” This image sparked widespread attention, and a company official confirmed the news to PakWheels.com, stating, “Yes, it was the last batch.”
Back in 2021, rumors about the discontinuation of the Suzuki Bolan began circulating after the Lahore High Court issued a ruling that ordered the Engineering Development Board (the regulatory body for the auto industry) to ensure that all vehicles being assembled in Pakistan included airbags. At that time, many speculated that this would be the end of the road for the Suzuki Bolan, as it lacked modern safety features. However, the company denied these rumors and continued production.
In 2022, the company introduced an air-conditioned variant of the Suzuki Bolan, hoping to attract more customers by offering a slightly upgraded version. Unfortunately, this version did not last long and was discontinued within the same year, signaling the Suzuki Bolan’s inevitable end. Now, with the last batch confirmed, the era of this iconic vehicle has officially come to a close.
Now, the big question is: which car will take the place of the legendary Bolan, or as most of us know it, the “Carry Dabba”? The answer is simple—Suzuki Every. The company had already unveiled the new Every at the last auto show in Lahore, hinting that it would be the successor to the Bolan. However, the launch kept facing delays due to several factors, including the ban on letters of credit (LCs) and restrictions on importing CKD kits.
Despite these setbacks, it’s now confirmed that Suzuki plans to officially launch the new “Every” in the second week of October 2024. This marks the end of the road for the Bolan and the start of a new chapter for Suzuki with the “Every”, which promises to bring modern features and upgrades to meet the needs of today’s drivers. This transition signals not just the end of an era but also the beginning of a more advanced and safer journey for future users.
