Kia’s Pakistani assembler, Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC), is reportedly preparing to launch a new-generation Picanto in the local market within the next month. The claim, shared by Pakistani automotive analyst Suneel Munj on August 15, 2026, follows LMC’s decision to discontinue the outgoing Picanto after nearly six years on sale. LMC has not officially confirmed the new model and has released no information on its specifications, pricing, local-assembly status, or launch date.
Background: The Outgoing Picanto’s Six-Year Run
Kia introduced the Picanto in Pakistan in September 2019, giving LMC its first entry into the country’s competitive 1000cc hatchback segment. The car was locally assembled at LMC’s Karachi plant and sold with a Euro 2-compliant 998cc three-cylinder MPI petrol engine producing 69 hp at 6,200 rpm and 9.6 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox. Ex-factory pricing for the top automatic variant stood at roughly PKR 4,090,000 shortly before the model was pulled from sale.
LMC has not issued a public statement explaining the exit, but the change is confirmed on its own platforms. As of this writing, the Picanto no longer appears in the “All Cars” showroom lineup on Kia Pakistan’s official website, which currently lists the Sorento PHEV, Sportage L, Sorento, Stonic, Carnival, EV5, and EV9. Dealerships have also stopped accepting new bookings for the model.
What’s Reportedly Coming Next
The discontinuation initially fuelled speculation that Kia was exiting Pakistan’s hatchback segment entirely. Munj pushed back on that reading in his August 15 post on X, arguing that the outgoing Picanto’s exit clears the way for a newer version rather than ending the nameplate locally. He said LMC is preparing to introduce the new Picanto in Pakistan, potentially within the next month.
Several Pakistani outlets, including ProPakistani, The Opinion, and TechJuice, reported the claim over the following day, each attributing it to Munj and each noting that LMC has not confirmed the plan. Still undisclosed are the new Picanto’s engine and transmission options, exterior and safety features, pricing, whether it will be locally assembled or imported, and the date bookings might reopen.
Outgoing vs. Reported New Picanto: What’s Known So Far
| Detail | Outgoing Picanto | New-Generation Picanto |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued | Reportedly planned |
| Engine | 998cc 3-cylinder MPI petrol (Euro 2) | Not disclosed |
| Power / Torque | 69 hp @ 6,200 rpm / 9.6 Nm @ 3,500 rpm | Not disclosed |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic | Not disclosed |
| Ex-factory price (last listed) | ~PKR 4,090,000 (1.0 AT) | Not disclosed |
| Assembly | Local (LMC, Karachi) | Not confirmed |
| Bookings | Permanently closed | Not yet open |
| Pakistan launch | September 2019 | Reportedly within weeks (unconfirmed) |
The Picanto Globally: What “New Generation” Looks Like Elsewhere
Internationally, Kia continues to sell the Picanto in its third generation, which has gone through a second facelift in overseas markets. In the UK, for example, Kia simplified the Picanto range in August 2025 to three trims — Pure, GT-Line, and GT-Line S — offered with a 1.0-litre petrol engine. The facelifted model carries revised exterior lighting, an updated interior and infotainment system, and driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking as standard equipment.
It is not yet known whether a Pakistan-bound Picanto would share this specification, use a different engine or trim structure, or arrive through local assembly rather than import. LMC has given no indication of a sourcing plan.
Pakistan Auto Market Impact
Any relaunch would place the Picanto back into direct competition with Suzuki’s Cultus and Wagon R, which together account for the bulk of Pakistan’s 1000cc hatchback sales. The Cultus, assembled by Pak Suzuki, has recently carried ex-factory pricing of roughly PKR 4.09 million to PKR 4.59 million across its variants — the pricing band the new Picanto would likely have to work around if it returns with similar market positioning.
A relaunch would also test whether Kia can address the concerns that industry observers linked to the outgoing model’s struggles, including resale value and the cost of spare parts relative to Suzuki’s more established local parts network.
What Happens Next
LMC has not indicated when it plans to comment officially. Until it does, the new Picanto’s specifications, pricing, and launch timeline remain unconfirmed, and Munj’s report is currently the only public account of Lucky Motor’s plans. This report will be updated if Lucky Motor Corporation issues an official statement or reopens bookings for the model.
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