Asif Hanafi - Blogging from somewhere » Luxury

Luxury in Pakistan: Range Rover

Asif Hanafi — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:22:48 +0000

By Mehr Naik

Launched in 1948, British automotive stalwarts Land Rover are one of the longest lived four wheel drives in the world and are reputed to produce the worlds finest all terrain vehicles. The luxury automobile is favoured by the likes of Hollywood stars and musicians such as Charlize Theron, Kate Walsh, Pete Wentz, John Mayer and Katherine Heigl – locally, one has caught the likes of Asim Buksh and Shoaib Akhtar cruising the streets of Lahore in their luxury 4X4’S on occasion – in fact it is Asim who brings Land Rover in a big way to the country under the Premium Motors banner – they happen to have Jaguar in their portfolio as well and rumours of Bentley arriving this year are rife!

Before diving into technical specifics, one must acknowledge the business model of the company: This has a strong focus on global business growth and regionally speaking of our geographic area in particular, the Land Rover topped off a successful 60th Anniversary year by winning ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the CAR Middle East Awards which was held in late 2008.

Today we are looking specifically at the dynamic sports tourer, The Range Rover Sport which is a full size sports utility vehicle, SUV as its popularly referred to, introduced under the aegis of Land Rover in 2005 – the automotive giants release a new model of the coveted car annually. The luxury SUV has it all: extensive leather, wood and metallic finishes that can be customized to the owner’s preference, extensive road safety measures including high tech electronic crash-preventions such as antilock disc brakes, electronic brake assistance, emergency fuel shut-off device, front seatbelt height adjusters and hill-descent control. It not just a stunning but a safe ride too, it would appear.

Talking technicals, the SUV’s 4.2 litre supercharged V8 390hp petrol engine delivers massive torque and effortless acceleration with six-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift logic that adjusts itself to road conditions and your unique driving style. It also has a Sport’s Terrain Response System to boot which assures the driver will be up to nearly any off-road task which offer five different settings that adjust throttle response, gear changes, vehicle ride height in varying environments, ranging from pavement to sand. Land rover has participated in numerous rallies and has won the Macmillan 4×4 UK Challenge almost every year.

Heading inside the cabin, the interior baffles: genuine wood trim on the floor consoles, doors and instruments panel and genuine leather upholstery for seating. The Range Rover Sport also offers a versatile selection of superior entertainment with a hybrid digital/analogue TV alongside a sound assaulting Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system. The system boasts 550 watts of power, the 14 individual speakers produce a dramatic 3D effect from a 12-channel digitally controlled amplifier, six CDs can be stored and played as well as MP3 encoded CDs.

Other swanky features include a keyless entry via key fob, panic alarm, 3-Memory adjustments for driver side which include seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors.

The Range Rover Sport offers the best in luxury and technological advancements in the world of automobiles. Try it out in Pakistan in places such as the deserts of Sindh, the fields of Punjab or the rocky regions of the north. The vehicle is for anyone and everyone who has the taste for exploration without trepidation.

Luxury in Pakistan: Bang Olufsen

Asif Hanafi — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:53:21 +0000

When people turn around and say Luxury has no scope in Pakistan they are oh so mistaken. With a population of over 170 million people at least 1% i.e. 1.7 million people have the “cash” to buy luxury products. Unfortunately with counterfeit products coming in from China and Taiwan and lack of warranty or product support in Pakistan hinders people from buying.

Fear no more, Bang Olufsen is here to save your day.

With its “awesomestest” sexiest design, the BeoSound 5 is a must to have.

Why?

Because music lovers have thousands of tracks. Accumulated over the years they were either downloaded, bought, recommended or accidentally ended up in the car.

What the BeoSound 5 does is not only ALLOW you to store up to 500 GB of sounds it does something that only a highly paid genius can do. It organizes your tracks.

What? Yes boys, it organizes them! Suppose your in the mood to listen to some sad songs because your girlfriend just dumped you and you either use your iPhone/iPod or Windows Media player, select a few songs that you can remember and put them in the playlist on repeat. Well with the BeoSound 5, you don’t have to do that anymore, just play the sad song and BeoSound will scan the rest of your music and play similar tracks based on parameters such as rhythm, syncopation, key tonality and vocal harmonies. Amazing? I’ll give you another example, having a girl come over? Let BeoSound 5 be the DJ. Not only with the chick fall in love with you for owning the BeoSound 5 and possibly get turned on by it, but once your settled down on the sofa bed, the BeoSound will continue to play similar tracks to the way you want the evening to be, nice, slow and romantic.

Anyhow, your probably wondering whether BeoSound 5 is available in Pakistan?

Yes it is, Bang Olufsen has partnered up with the Buksh Group, hence their retail shops are located in Karachi and Lahore. 4-C, 9th Commercial Lane ZamZama, Karachi and 9-k, Empire center, Main Boulevard, Gulberg, Lahore.

So you get a full warranty, service and installation if you so require.

How much does it cost? You need to go and feel it, touch it, play some music before you decide what the BeoSound 5 is worth to you.

Luxury in Pakistan

Asif Hanafi — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:42:31 +0000

So I wrote an article about a year back for Wateen which got published. The topic was on luxury in Pakistan.

http://portal.wateen.com/Lifestyle/Luxury101/tabid/525/Default.aspx

Luxury in Pakistan

Asif Hanafi for Havana International

When people ask me, “What is luxury” I turn around and say to them, whatever you fancy. One can not put a price tag on Luxury I explain to them. Whether it’s art, crystal, jewelry or home décor; Luxury is what we perceive as the end result of our successful life. It is the essence and reflection that we define our character for the world to see, to admire and to aspire. Luxury is what drives us to become something.

I am a connoisseur of luxury and it is also my profession. Having grown up in Switzerland, the home of top luxury brands, I was exposed to it from a very early age. Perhaps this explains why for the last three years, I have spent developing strategies for luxury companies to enter into Pakistan – not that we have met with success every time! Some have been successful and others not so. However one thing has remained consistent through-out which is the surprising rate at which more and more Pakistanis are steadily becoming part of the 4000+ luxury market. Pakistani’s are no exception to the fact that individuals desire exclusivity, exceptionality and to possess that which is unique. As a result and for some surprisingly, luxury has done relatively well since the economic downturn as consumers re-enforce to their peers and to themselves that they are doing well by increasing their spending habits.

I helped bring in Lalique to the country recently and I admit it was one of our most successful projects, taking the luxury home décor market with surprise. Many of our clients still can’t believe that Lalique has opened up in Pakistan and that it will expand. With a diversity of pieces ranging from 12,900 to 22,000,000 rupees, the latest collections are launched in Pakistan at the same time as the rest of the world. With other big brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren still to make an entry into the market, brands like Lalique, Mercedes and Bang & Olufsen have already established themselves rather well. Not to forget the watch brands such as Rolex and Omega amongst the few who for the past decade have been the number one gifts to receive! In fact, luxury Swiss watches brands have had their presence in Pakistan for quite a while and rather successfully.

Other than defining a certain status or portraying a lifestyle, I am also a believer in luxury as an investment which could also why explain there is a constant aspiration towards luxury globally. Particular artists, designers, jewelers and crafters are sought and their work coveted for both its desirability and its future resale value. Special edition Lalique pieces have been known to sell close to millions, Sadequains paintings have been auctioned at Sotheby’s, Bonham’s and Christie’s. In fact there is so much to be said for luxury as an investment and I intend to dedicate a full blog to this subject soon.

Yet Pakistan has been long deprived of luxury products whilst our neighboring countries in the Middle East and India have had access to them for the last few years. With our outrageous taxes and unstable political environment luxury items are considered an important yet “baby market” by luxury brand houses like Cartier, Swarovski, DeBeers, Hermes and many more. Till more luxury brands come, our growing elite will have to travel to the Middle East which would be the closest access point for all things luxury and travel they will, for the love of luxury!