Recently, Toyota Indus Motors has offered two variants of its compact sedan Yaris with a facelift. This has been done in the hope of stopping the downward slide of Yaris sales in Pakistan.
An automotive facelift is a nifty and economical way to keep a car brand and model relevant in the market for years without completely redesigning it. In Pakistan, where it is the norm to continue manufacturing the same generation model for years on end, facelifts are commonplace. However, this also makes it a convenient tool for automobile manufacturers to avoid introducing new models in the market. While this may be somewhat true, facelifts also offer many new features to the consumer. So, in a way, they are a win-win situation for both the automobile manufacturer and the consumer.
But what exactly does this term mean, and why should you care about it? In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at car facelifts, their purpose, and their impact on the industry.
What is a Car Facelift?
A car facelift, also known as an automotive facelift, minor model update or change, mid-cycle or generational refresh or update (or whatever you want to call it), is a process by which a manufacturer makes minor cosmetic and/or functional changes to a car model that’s already been on the market for a few years. These changes can be in the form of updated headlights, taillights, grille designs, and bumper shapes, as well as improvements to the car’s engine, transmission, suspension, and other components.
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of a facelift is to keep a car model fresh and competitive in a market that’s constantly evolving. By making minor updates and improvements, manufacturers may keep consumers interested in their products and stay ahead of the competition. Though there are no guarantees that the consumers would always buy these cosmetic changes.
Why Do Car Facelifts Matter?
There is more to car facelifts than mere cosmetic changes. They actually play a crucial role in the automotive industry. Here are a few reasons why they matter:
- Facelifts Keep Models Competitive: As we mentioned earlier, car facelifts help manufacturers stay competitive in a constantly changing market. By making updates to their existing models, they can keep up with the latest trends and technologies and maintain consumer interest.
- Facelifts Boost Sales: When a car model undergoes a facelift, it can generate renewed interest from consumers who may have overlooked the previous version or gotten bored of it. This can lead to increased sales for the manufacturer.
- Facelifts Improve the Driving Experience: While some facelift changes are purely cosmetic, others can have a significant impact on the car’s performance and driving experience, especially if the facelift includes changes to the car’s interior and engine. For example, updates to the suspension or engine can improve the car’s handling and acceleration.
- Facelifts Extend the Life of a Model: Introducing a new model is a time-consuming and a very costly exercise. Instead, by making minor updates to an existing model, manufacturers can extend its lifespan and delay the need for a full redesign. This can save them time and money in the long run.
Examples of Car Facelifts
Now that we’ve covered what car facelifts are and why they matter, let’s take a look at a few real-life examples of models that have undergone this process:
- Toyota Corolla: The Toyota Corolla has undergone several facelifts in Pakistan, with the most recent one being in 2020. The facelift brought a new front grille, revised bumper design, and new alloy wheels.
- Honda City: The Honda City also underwent a facelift in 2020, which brought a new front grille, revised bumper design, and LED headlights.
- Suzuki Swift: The Suzuki Swift received a facelift in 2021, which included a new front grille, revised bumper design, and new alloy wheels.
- Suzuki Alto: The Suzuki Alto underwent a facelift in 2019, which brought a new front grille, revised bumper design, and new headlights.
- Kia Picanto: The Kia Picanto received a facelift in 2020, which included a new front grille, revised bumper design, and new alloy wheels.
- Hyundai Tucson: The Hyundai Tucson underwent a facelift in 2019, which brought a new front grille, revised bumper design, and new alloy wheels.
Conclusion
Car facelifts may seem insignificant to some, but they’re actually an important part of the automotive industry. By making minor updates and improvements to existing models, manufacturers can stay competitive, boost sales, and improve the driving experience for consumers. If you’re looking for a car that has been updated with the latest design features, consider checking out the facelift selection on OLX Pakistan. Facelift kits are also available for DIY.
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