Muhammad Luqman

In Pakistan, car modification has lately gained popularity, mostly among upper-middle-class youth, particularly in urban areas like Lahore and Karachi. Young people enjoy customising their vehicles to reflect their personality, improve performance, or enhance aesthetics.

To benefit from this trend, a big number of car showrooms in Pakistani urban centres have added workshops manned by professionals specialising in modifications. The vehicles are modified externally, internally and in performance terms. In Lahore, you can find various modified cars plying on the roads after undergoing significant transformations with body kits of latest models like custom bumpers, bonnets and side skirts.

The change of bonnets, doors, wheel cups and tyres and even spare parts upgrade and facelift the old models of the vehicles. “Modification takes place only in expensive cars, mostly no more than 20 years old. The outer shape is changed to give it a new look. For big cars, modification charges are not less than Rs800,000 and there is no upper limit,” Muhammad Usman, the manager at a modification workshop in Lahore’s DHA, told WealthPK.

He said that the trend is fast evolving from a niche hobby to a mainstream phenomenon, with enthusiasts increasingly personalising and enhancing their vehicles. “But still, it is the passion of the high-income class. I have not seen any owner of Suzuki Mehran or Cultus getting his car modified,” said Usman. The roots of car modification in Pakistan can be traced back to the 1980s and 1990s. During this period, the market was dominated by a limited variety of vehicles, mainly imported from Japan.

Enthusiasts began experimenting with basic modifications, such as engine tuning, suspension upgrades, and cosmetic changes like paint jobs and decals. These early modifications were mostly DIY (do it yourself) projects, with limited access to professional services and aftermarket parts. “The beginning of 21st century proved a significant turning point in the history of car modification in Pakistan. The increasing import of cars brought new possibilities for enthusiasts,” Usman said.

In recent years, technological advancements have significantly impacted the car modification landscape in Pakistan. The availability of advanced diagnostic tools, performance tuning software, and high-quality aftermarket parts has enabled enthusiasts to achieve more precise and sophisticated modifications. Trends like digital tuning, custom LED lighting, and infotainment system upgrades have become increasingly popular.

Additionally, the growing interest in eco-friendly modifications, such as electric conversions and hybrid technology, reflects the global shift towards sustainability. Car modification is a global phenomenon. The leading countries and regions with most of the car modification activities are – Japan, United States, Europe and the Middle East – where automotive enthusiasts from diverse cultures have been practicing it for several decades.

With the increase in the car modification activity, the sale of modified vehicles is getting acceptable in Pakistani society. “There is still a big number of buyers who want to buy the vehicle with all the genuine parts. But a number of people buy a modified car too,” said Sarfraz Ahmad, owner of a showroom in Lahore’s Jail Road Automobile Market.

However, he believes that car modification does add futuristic look to a vehicle but a modified car does not fetch more price as compared to the one with original parts. According to car dealers, despite all the odds, the future of car modification in Pakistan looks promising, with continuous growth and innovation on the horizon. The increasing availability of electric and hybrid vehicles presents new opportunities for modification.

Credit: INP-WealthPk