Luxury cars in fast lane
Garment owners and top realtors fuel sales

Sales of luxury cars have increased recently, driven mainly by garment exporters and realtors.Photo: STAR

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2010/07/27/2010-07-27__buss02.jpg

Sajjadur RahmanSales of German premium auto manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are on a roll, riding on the demands from garment exporters and realtors, sellers of the brands said.

Executive Motors, the distributor of the world's leading luxury car maker, BMW, said its sales were up 100 percent in the first half of 2010 from the same period a year ago.

Sales of another luxury car Audi that has been marketing for the past one and a half months also got significant response from the local buyers. Thirteen Audi cars were sold during the period, out of 20 the importer brought in.

Mercedes-Benz, which is being marketed by Rangs Motors, saw nearly a 50 percent rise in sales in the first half of this year. Some 30 units of the brand were sold in the six months period ending in June 2010.

“Garment exporters and realtors were the main buyers of Audis,” said Habibullah Don, the Bangladesh importer of Audis.

Mokhlesur Rahman who distributes BMW agreed that these buyers were driving the luxury car market in the country.

“The buyers were the exporters and real estate businessmen,” said Rahman, who has sold 32 BMW cars in the first six months of 2010. He pegged sales at only 30 cars during all of 2009.

Although the garment exporters were the main buyers of these premium cars, they are claiming profits are too low to hike workers' minimum wage from mere Tk 1,662.

A garment exporter can pay 9,627 workers' monthly wages at Tk 1,662 per month with the value of a Tk 1.60 crore car. The exporter can pay 5,333 workers' monthly wages at Tk 3,000 per worker per month with the car's price.

'Luxury car' suggests a vehicle with greater performance, construction precision, comfort, design ingenuity, technological innovation and features that convey brand image or prestige. But the term varies from country to country. What is a luxury car to Bangladeshis may be ordinary to Americans and Europeans.

According to the market players, luxury car sales dropped in the three years before 2009, due both to the political strife and higher duties in the budget of 2009-10.

An Audi car costs Tk 85 lakh to 1.20 crore, a BMW Tk 70 lakh to 1.20 crore and a Mercedes-Benz Tk 40 lakh to 1.60 crore, according to the sellers.

Sales of the luxury cars declined in 2007 after an army-backed caretaker government took power in January of 2007. Even some owners of those luxury brands stopped using their cars, fearing that army personnel and taxmen would notice them. But the situation improved after January 2009 when an elected government assumed power.

The government imposed 100 percent supplementary duty on motor vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 1,651cc to 2,000cc in the budget of 2009-10, up from 60 percent in the previous year.

A 250 percent duty was imposed on vehicles of 2,001cc to 2,750cc in 2009-10, up from 100 percent a year earlier, a rate retained in the budget of 2010-11. More than 2,751cc cars carry the higher duty of 350 percent.

“We try to import cars within 2,000cc so that duties remain within 100 percent,” said Rahman, the BMW distributor.

Luxury cars in fast lane
Garment owners and top realtors fuel sales

Sales of luxury cars have increased recently, driven mainly by garment exporters and realtors.Photo: STAR

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2010/07/27/2010-07-27__buss02.jpg

Sajjadur RahmanSales of German premium auto manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are on a roll, riding on the demands from garment exporters and realtors, sellers of the brands said.

Executive Motors, the distributor of the world's leading luxury car maker, BMW, said its sales were up 100 percent in the first half of 2010 from the same period a year ago.

Sales of another luxury car Audi that has been marketing for the past one and a half months also got significant response from the local buyers. Thirteen Audi cars were sold during the period, out of 20 the importer brought in.

Mercedes-Benz, which is being marketed by Rangs Motors, saw nearly a 50 percent rise in sales in the first half of this year. Some 30 units of the brand were sold in the six months period ending in June 2010.

“Garment exporters and realtors were the main buyers of Audis,” said Habibullah Don, the Bangladesh importer of Audis.

Mokhlesur Rahman who distributes BMW agreed that these buyers were driving the luxury car market in the country.

“The buyers were the exporters and real estate businessmen,” said Rahman, who has sold 32 BMW cars in the first six months of 2010. He pegged sales at only 30 cars during all of 2009.

Although the garment exporters were the main buyers of these premium cars, they are claiming profits are too low to hike workers' minimum wage from mere Tk 1,662.

A garment exporter can pay 9,627 workers' monthly wages at Tk 1,662 per month with the value of a Tk 1.60 crore car. The exporter can pay 5,333 workers' monthly wages at Tk 3,000 per worker per month with the car's price.

'Luxury car' suggests a vehicle with greater performance, construction precision, comfort, design ingenuity, technological innovation and features that convey brand image or prestige. But the term varies from country to country. What is a luxury car to Bangladeshis may be ordinary to Americans and Europeans.

According to the market players, luxury car sales dropped in the three years before 2009, due both to the political strife and higher duties in the budget of 2009-10.

An Audi car costs Tk 85 lakh to 1.20 crore, a BMW Tk 70 lakh to 1.20 crore and a Mercedes-Benz Tk 40 lakh to 1.60 crore, according to the sellers.

Sales of the luxury cars declined in 2007 after an army-backed caretaker government took power in January of 2007. Even some owners of those luxury brands stopped using their cars, fearing that army personnel and taxmen would notice them. But the situation improved after January 2009 when an elected government assumed power.

The government imposed 100 percent supplementary duty on motor vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 1,651cc to 2,000cc in the budget of 2009-10, up from 60 percent in the previous year.

A 250 percent duty was imposed on vehicles of 2,001cc to 2,750cc in 2009-10, up from 100 percent a year earlier, a rate retained in the budget of 2010-11. More than 2,751cc cars carry the higher duty of 350 percent.

“We try to import cars within 2,000cc so that duties remain within 100 percent,” said Rahman, the BMW distributor.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148404

Luxury cars in fast lane
Garment owners and top realtors fuel sales

Sales of luxury cars have increased recently, driven mainly by garment exporters and realtors.Photo: STAR

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2010/07/27/2010-07-27__buss02.jpg

Sajjadur RahmanSales of German premium auto manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are on a roll, riding on the demands from garment exporters and realtors, sellers of the brands said.

Executive Motors, the distributor of the world's leading luxury car maker, BMW, said its sales were up 100 percent in the first half of 2010 from the same period a year ago.

Sales of another luxury car Audi that has been marketing for the past one and a half months also got significant response from the local buyers. Thirteen Audi cars were sold during the period, out of 20 the importer brought in.

Mercedes-Benz, which is being marketed by Rangs Motors, saw nearly a 50 percent rise in sales in the first half of this year. Some 30 units of the brand were sold in the six months period ending in June 2010.

“Garment exporters and realtors were the main buyers of Audis,” said Habibullah Don, the Bangladesh importer of Audis.

Mokhlesur Rahman who distributes BMW agreed that these buyers were driving the luxury car market in the country.

“The buyers were the exporters and real estate businessmen,” said Rahman, who has sold 32 BMW cars in the first six months of 2010. He pegged sales at only 30 cars during all of 2009.

Although the garment exporters were the main buyers of these premium cars, they are claiming profits are too low to hike workers' minimum wage from mere Tk 1,662.

A garment exporter can pay 9,627 workers' monthly wages at Tk 1,662 per month with the value of a Tk 1.60 crore car. The exporter can pay 5,333 workers' monthly wages at Tk 3,000 per worker per month with the car's price.

'Luxury car' suggests a vehicle with greater performance, construction precision, comfort, design ingenuity, technological innovation and features that convey brand image or prestige. But the term varies from country to country. What is a luxury car to Bangladeshis may be ordinary to Americans and Europeans.

According to the market players, luxury car sales dropped in the three years before 2009, due both to the political strife and higher duties in the budget of 2009-10.

An Audi car costs Tk 85 lakh to 1.20 crore, a BMW Tk 70 lakh to 1.20 crore and a Mercedes-Benz Tk 40 lakh to 1.60 crore, according to the sellers.

Sales of the luxury cars declined in 2007 after an army-backed caretaker government took power in January of 2007. Even some owners of those luxury brands stopped using their cars, fearing that army personnel and taxmen would notice them. But the situation improved after January 2009 when an elected government assumed power.

The government imposed 100 percent supplementary duty on motor vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 1,651cc to 2,000cc in the budget of 2009-10, up from 60 percent in the previous year.

A 250 percent duty was imposed on vehicles of 2,001cc to 2,750cc in 2009-10, up from 100 percent a year earlier, a rate retained in the budget of 2010-11. More than 2,751cc cars carry the higher duty of 350 percent.

“We try to import cars within 2,000cc so that duties remain within 100 percent,” said Rahman, the BMW distributor.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=148404

Thanks just read it myself in the newspaper's website. Funny how they've so explicitly highlighted the opportunity cost (in terms of number of workers specific to minimum wage) of one of these luxury cars!

^^ The GOB needs to increase the minimum wage of workers.

Luxury cars in fast lane

Which lane is the fast lane on Dhaka's roads?

Wasn't one of these owners complaining that he will shut down his factories if the wage goes up to 3,000 taka? Also, aren't these "kotipoti" people concerned about having their multi million taka vehicle become a target of street violence?

Luxury cars in fast lane

Which lane is the fast lane on Dhaka's roads?

Wasn't one of these owners complaining that he will shut down his factories if the wage goes up to 3,000 taka? Also, aren't these "kotipoti" people concerned about having their multi million taka vehicle become a target of street violence?
this is the haalat of bangladesh run by bastards...


the garments sector is by no means a loss making entity the owners are just to greedy they think they still live in the mughal zamana and they are the shahensha of the khazana..

many garments factories are being sold to guess who... foreign buyers.. esp the big ones...

you do the math

^^ The GOB needs to increase the minimum wage of workers.
doesnt free market determine the prices ? :P

the garments sector is by no means a loss making entity the owners are just to greedy they think they still live in the mughal zamana and they are the shahensha of the khazana..


While the workers are their projas working in the fields.

Which lane is the fast lane on Dhaka's roads?


Airport road Im guessing

doesnt free market determine the prices ? :P
Being sarcastic?

doesnt free market determine the prices ? :P

:) As discussed earlier, role of government is in creating regulations for private enterprises to actually run the businesses efficiently. Environmental standard, minimum wages etc needs to be laid out by government by setting a uniform standard.. then the market should determine the rest.

That is, if a garments manufacturer wants to pay Tk 10,000 to workers for some specialized work, the government should not prevent it, but if owners pay less than minimum wage, action should be taken. US, Japan and Canada are good examples for us.

But in a completely efficient market (with free flow of labor, capital and information), even the minimum wages can be determined by the market, since workers will just leave and work in a different place that is paying more. Like in European union, where workers from underpaid eastern block can move to Western nations, this is forcing the private companies in Poland, Serbia etc to raise wages. But unfortunately Bangladesh does not have a functioning market, most companies are family owned and equity market is in nascent stage.The population is also not mobile and cannot shift quickly..

Bangladesh hikes wages for protesting garment workers
By Shafiq Alam (AFP) – 1 hour ago

DHAKA — Bangladesh raised the minimum wage for its millions of garment workers by 80 percent on Tuesday, following months of violent protests over pay and conditions, an official said.

An emergency wage board committee of government officials, garment manufacturers and union leaders announced the minimum monthly wage would rise from 1,662 taka -- the lowest industry salary worldwide -- to 3,000 taka (43 dollars).
"The wage board has said the minimum wage will be set at 3,000 taka, which will include medical and housing allowances," Iktedar Ahmed, head of the government minimum wage board, told reporters after the board's final meeting.

For months, Bangladesh's workers who make clothing for leading Western brands have taken to the streets, organising protests that have seen factories ransacked and led to clashes with police.

On June 22, hundreds of thousands of workers closed the key Ashulia export area that produces for brands such as Wal-Mart, H&M and Marks & Spencer, a major blow for an industry aiming to steal contracts from Chinese competitors.

Some workers' unions have agreed to the wage hike, Habibur Rahman Siraj, a union representative at the wage board, told AFP, while others rejected the deal as insufficient.

"We do not accept this, it is not enough to ensure a decent standard of living for workers and we will organise protests," said Mosherafa Mishu, head of the Garment Workers Unity Forum.

"This is an 80 percent rise -- but the cost of living has gone up more than that since 2006, we want 5,000 taka," she said.

The previous minimum wage of 1,662 taka was set in 2006 after months of violent street protests.

Garment manufacturers, who have staunchly resisted any significant wage increase, say implementation of the new pay deal should be delayed as it will affect the price of current orders.

After the wage board announced its decision, manufacturers rushed to lobby Bangladesh's Labour Minister, who is expected to make a formal announcement of the hike.

The garment industry enjoyed record sales last month, with Bangladesh shipping 1.72 billion dollars of goods in June, the highest monthly export in the country's 40-year history.

Even though the government has guaranteed workers a wage hike, enforcement is likely to be difficult.

A quarter of Bangladesh's garment factories do not comply with current mandatory standards on pay, working hours and conditions, commerce ministry spokesman Faizul Haque told AFP last week.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iES3-J7NpyL-IEWksseQRzSfpaFA

While the workers are their projas working in the fields.
my friend who owns a couple of them says they should be grateful that they have jobs

and be happy with that they get "nai mamar chay kana mama bhalo"

:) As discussed earlier, role of government is in creating regulations for private enterprises to actually run the businesses efficiently. Environmental standard, minimum wages etc needs to be laid out by government by setting a uniform standard.. then the market should determine the rest.

That is, if a garments manufacturer wants to pay Tk 10,000 to workers for some specialized work, the government should not prevent it, but if owners pay less than minimum wage, action should be taken. US, Japan and Canada are good examples for us.

But in a completely efficient market (with free flow of labor, capital and information), even the minimum wages can be determined by the market, since workers will just leave and work in a different place that is paying more. Like in European union, where workers from underpaid eastern block can move to Western nations, this is forcing the private companies in Poland, Serbia etc to raise wages. But unfortunately Bangladesh does not have a functioning market, most companies are family owned and equity market is in nascent stage.The population is also not mobile and cannot shift quickly..
name one country were we bangalis can go without a visa?


have you not been following the news how harsh the grarments factory owners have been..

my friend who owns a couple of them says they should be grateful that they have jobs

and be happy with that they get "nai mamar chay kana mama bhalo"

Thats what the jomidars used to say to projas who worked in the their lands back in the days. Then the projas revolted and just got rid of the jomidars and worked on the fields themselves with total control over the output.

If the factory owners threaten the workforce by saying they would fire them and close the factory thus leaving them unemployed. The workers could take over the closed factory and operate them as co-operatives. Some food for thought there.

Back in the day slavery was considered normal. Before May day working more than 8 hrs was considered normal.

^^ That's speaking right out of the Communist Manifesto :lol:

But in a completely efficient market (with free flow of labor, capital and information), even the minimum wages can be determined by the market, since workers will just leave and work in a different place that is paying more. Like in European union, where workers from underpaid eastern block can move to Western nations, this is forcing the private companies in Poland, Serbia etc to raise wages. But unfortunately Bangladesh does not have a functioning market, most companies are family owned and equity market is in nascent stage.The population is also not mobile and cannot shift quickly..

I concur with this statement:


I agree with Adam Smith that free movement of people is a core component of free trade. As for free movement of capital, that's a totally different matter. Unlike persons of flesh and blood, capital has no rights, at least by Enlightenment/classical liberal standards. As soon as we bring up the matter of free movement of capital, we have to face the fact that while people are in principle at least equal in rights, in a just society, talk of capital conceals the reality: we are speaking of owners of capital, who are vastly unequal in power, naturally.

In the real world, free movement of capital entails radical restriction of democracy, for obvious reasons that have long been well understood. Speaking of capital and labour as if they were on a par is so hopelessly misleading that sensible discussion is impossible in these terms.

http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/2006----.htm

^^ That's speaking right out of the Communist Manifesto :lol:

So whats wrong with that? :) The idea of running factories and other means of production as co-operatives is gaining strength. Come to think one of firsts strikes in the US in recent times was the strike at Republic Doors and Windows. Many of the workers during the strike had thought why dont we just take over the factory and run it ourselves.


Karl Marx was spot on in his analysis on class struggle. :cheers:

Luxury cars in fast lane

Which lane is the fast lane on Dhaka's roads?

Wasn't one of these owners complaining that he will shut down his factories if the wage goes up to 3,000 taka? Also, aren't these "kotipoti" people concerned about having their multi million taka vehicle become a target of street violence?

DUDE THERE IS NO CONCEPT OF A LANE SYSTEM IN DHAKA. THE WHITE GRIDS WE SEE ARE PURELY FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES.

doesnt free market determine the prices ? :P

Dude forget the economics. Just like laws governing other areas, there are strict labor laws in Bangladesh (even specific to minimum wage) - however they are not enforcement. There is no concept of enforcement here.

^^ That's speaking right out of the Communist Manifesto :lol:

Yeah.. it surprises me how the communists never give up even after seeing the results with their own eyes. On one hand we have Japan, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and then we have/had hopeless countries like Soviet Union, Poland, Cuba, Venezuela.. " Lenin, Mao never worked hard like the common people they were supposed to represent .. they were living a lavish life just like the "evil" corporate executives.

Infact I have a cousin's husband who was a staunch supporter of communist/leftist parties back home-- with slogans like "Shromojibi mahonoti manusher bijoy akdin hobei, biplob onibarjo" then he got DV lottery and now chilling in US, spending like crazy and could care less about "equality"-- infact half the time he rips off poor mexican workers to get his house work done.

my friend who owns a couple of them says they should be grateful that they have jobs

and be happy with that they get "nai mamar chay kana mama bhalo"
Your friend is ripe for a French style revolution. What arrogance!

Yeah.. it surprises me how the communists never give up even after seeing the results with their own eyes. On one hand we have Japan, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and then we have/had hopeless countries like Soviet Union, Poland, Cuba, Venezuela.. " Lenin, Mao never worked hard like the common people they were supposed to represent .. they were living a lavish life just like the "evil" corporate executives.


True. I fully agree. What most communist don't understand is that for communism to work, a country needs to be fully industrialized first, and second it needs to be a world-wide phenomenon, not a local one (not according to me, but according to Marx). Communism should not even have a government, there should not be anyone telling anyone else what to do and what not to do.

Even Lenin knew that USSR was not ready for communism (Russian Empire was no where close to being industrialized), and that's why while he ruled Russia, he allowed private enterprises to operate. When Stalin took power, that's when he centralized everything.

Another thing I don't understand is that true communists should encourage unbridled capitalism; so that there is a huge inequality and also so that the country gets industrialized. But sadly, they don't seem to see this point.

Till now, communism/socialism operating in one isolated country is like spork - in theory, its perfect (you can use it as a spoon and as a fork), but in practice, it doesn't do either well :lol:

Thats what the jomidars used to say to projas who worked in the their lands back in the days. Then the projas revolted and just got rid of the jomidars and worked on the fields themselves with total control over the output.

If the factory owners threaten the workforce by saying they would fire them and close the factory thus leaving them unemployed. The workers could take over the closed factory and operate them as co-operatives. Some food for thought there.

Back in the day slavery was considered normal. Before May day working more than 8 hrs was considered normal.
the jomidar system is still here just the outlook has changed..

Dude forget the economics. Just like laws governing other areas, there are strict labor laws in Bangladesh (even specific to minimum wage) - however they are not enforcement. There is no concept of enforcement here.
enforcement... thats is only visible in the chandabazi sector

Your friend is ripe for a French style revolution. What arrogance!
well you cant blame em... can you?

well you cant blame em... can you?
Of course I can. They to could learn to live with driving around in less expensive cars and pay their workers a living wage, to begin with. And these people call themselves Muslims!

Of course I can. They to could learn to live with driving around in less expensive cars and pay their workers a living wage, to begin with. And these people call themselves Muslims!
lol...

i was told to either shut up or do something about it... i.e start a factory and pay high wages untill i do that my words will have no meaning...

True. I fully agree. What most communist don't understand is that for communism to work, a country needs to be fully industrialized first, and second it needs to be a world-wide phenomenon, not a local one (not according to me, but according to Marx). Communism should not even have a government, there should not be anyone telling anyone else what to do and what not to do.


Yes ur exactly spot on. While socialism means nothing more than "worker control over production" communism means "a classless stateless (government less) society". There are clear differences between the two. Marx had described communism as a much later stage and hasnt written much about it. However, there are many idiots today who think both are the same and they mean government control over production or command economy. Maybe Soviet propaganda is responsible for this.

What many people also dont realize is that Karl Marx is not the father of Socialism. There were socialists before him. These ideas came from the English, Dutch and French revolutions of the 15th, 16th and 17th century respectively. Marx just analyzed it well and wrote good books about it. And yes he did say it had to be a worldwide phenomenon and the most industrialized and developed countries would be the ones where the change would happen. Come to think of it is in developed countries where workers won rights like the 8-hr work day and the minimum wage. In Germany unions can hire and fire the directors in a company. The Japanese constitution allows all workers the right to organize into an union. In Wisconsin there is a company called Isthmus Engineering where the workers are the owners of the business. In california there is a similar worker-run bread factory where assembly line workers make 65000 dollars a year.


Even Lenin knew that USSR was not ready for communism (Russian Empire was no where close to being industrialized), and that's why while he ruled Russia, he allowed private enterprises to operate. When Stalin took power, that's when he centralized everything.

Yes very right. Lenin did not identify the Russian Revolution as socialist. He said socialism isnt possible in Russia and he identified the system as some kind of state capitalism. He said they were waiting for the revolution to happen in Germany which was the most advanced nation them. Lenin lived only 4 years into the revolution and died in 1921. When Stalin came to power he killed off most of the Bolsheviks and sent Trotsky into exile.

According to leading anarcho-syndicalist thinker Noam Chomsky: the system in the US (the so called most capitalist country) has nothing to do with capitalism - what was left of capitalism and totally free markets had disappeared by the 1920s and the state sector is a huge player in the present system. And the system in the Soviet Union also had no remote similarity to socialism either. So he refers both of the systems as different variants of state capitalism.

Lenin, Mao never worked hard like the common people they were supposed to represent .. they were living a lavish life just like the "evil" corporate executives.


Lying again eh? Lenin never lived a lavish life.

lol...

i was told to either shut up or do something about it... i.e start a factory and pay high wages untill i do that my words will have no meaning...
You should have retorted, "gimme some of your ill gotten money and I'll be happy to start one, where living wages are going to be paid". :)

Marxism/Leninism is long dead and buried.

Dude forget the economics. Just like laws governing other areas, there are strict labor laws in Bangladesh (even specific to minimum wage) - however they are not enforcement. There is no concept of enforcement here.
That is one of the primary ills of the country. This concept and the practice is very much alive but is subverted through corruption. If there was no attempt for enforcement, bribes wouldn't exist.

You should have retorted, "gimme some of your ill gotten money and I'll be happy to start one, where living wages are going to be paid". :)
cant shes a hawt babe :p

cant shes a hawt babe :p
All bets are off when comes to hot babes! Only charm offensive, my man. :lol:

Marxism/Leninism is long dead and buried.

I dont care much for Leninism but what do you specifically mean by Marxism here? Ppl had said that 1989 was the death of socialism but it wasnt because there was no socialism in the first place.

All bets are off when comes to hot babes! Only charm offensive, my man. :lol:
amen to that!

but on a serious note... the minimum wage has been fixed at tk 3000... i still dont know how it will help in this serious inflation infested market

I think "Animal Farm" the political satire by George Orwell, sums up the problems with communism/ socialism really well. The oppressed becomes the oppressor in no time..

few days back, when i was going through Gulshan Avenue, i saw countless number of Mercedes, BMWs, some Range Rovers, Jaguars, 1 Audi Q5, and 2 or 3 Volkswagens and on the other hand, u can see beggars begging in the streets, what a fair country!

I think "Animal Farm" the political satire by George Orwell, sums up the problems with communism/ socialism really well. The oppressed becomes the oppressor in no time..

Did you know that George Orwell was a democratic socialist too? :)

This is what he wrote: "I have seen wonderful things and at last really believe in Socialism, which I never did before"

and this: "Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it."



According to biographer John Newsinger, "the other crucial dimension to Orwell's socialism was his recognition that the Soviet Union was not socialist. Unlike many on the left, instead of abandoning socialism once he discovered the full horror of Stalinist rule in the Soviet Union, Orwell abandoned the Soviet Union and instead remained a socialist — indeed he became more committed to the socialist cause than ever."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell#Political_views

^^
To my mind, the best socio-economic system ought to be a hybrid of capitalism and socialism. For high productivity and efficiency, most economic activities should be based on capitalism while assuring a high level of social safety net in all spheres of life. There should not be extreme polarities in living standards. That can only be achieved if ideologues are willing to compromise and find a middle ground on most aspect/issues of life. There cannot be "winner takes all" nor "government provides everything" mentality.

I believe, only the Scandinavian countries have such a model or blending of socio-economic system, in the present time, although they are far from being perfect.

Did you know that George Orwell was a democratic socialist too? :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell#Political_views

In that case half the capitalist world is also "democratic socialist" including President Obama.. And China is a " communist capitalist" country since they are going for privatization, trade liberalization and private ownership.. :)

I don't really care what one want to call the system, egalitarian/ socialist capitalist / harmonious democratic/ communist democracy etc, as long as the market is gaining with more state institutes privatized, freedom of speech respected through democracy and individual rights, it's all good.

The government has a big role to play in implementing rules and regulations and creating an atmosphere for private sector to flourish.As long as they are doing that duty and not meddling with private entrepreneurship, the country is on the right track.

^^
To my mind, the best socio-economic system ought to be a hybrid of capitalism and socialism.

Depends on what you mean by socialism. Remember socialism = worker control over production.

this was what I posted by the way in the other thread a month back from an Ha-Joon Chang interview

Citing Friederich Hayek and Karl Marx as influences, Chang argues that any emerging economy needs a mix of protectionist measures, free market opportunities and government guidance

In that case half the capitalist world is also "democractic socialist" including President Obama..


:lol: When he was campaigning Obama clearly said "I am a capitalist". Wasnt such a great statement since he came in and gave a bailout to some firms. Senator Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist. The Communist Party of Bangladesh, The Workers Party that we have in BD are democratic socialists. Evo Morales and Hugo Chavez are democratic socialists.

(Comrade Hugo is destroying the nation)

:rofl: Thats why he got elected to power 3 times continuosly right? Lay off the Fox News. Maybe you're pissed that Hugo Chavez is gonna cut off oil supply to the US (Thats what he said he would do if the US backed a Colombian attack on Venezuela). After all Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of oil to the US. Guess who will be paying more for gas. :)

I don't really care what one want to call the system, egalitarian/ socialist capitalist / harmonious democratic/ communist democracy etc, as long as the market is gaining with more state institutes privatized

Ahh "Private enterprise good public enterprise bad". What does it sound like? "Four legs good two legs bad" :wtf:

I am for any system that doesnt lead to this:

few days back, when i was going through Gulshan Avenue, i saw countless number of Mercedes, BMWs, some Range Rovers, Jaguars, 1 Audi Q5, and 2 or 3 Volkswagens and on the other hand, u can see beggars begging in the streets, what a fair country!

If markets can do it then sure. But this is what Adam Smith said about markets: "Under conditions of perfect liberty, markets will lead to perfect equality". Notice the last part "perfect equality". Wasnt a very good argument but thats what he said.

ah man this is going in circles king vs nayeem.... blah!

Yea Im not gonna continue it anymore. I've said what I've had to say.

i wonder how the owners of these cars react when they get a rickshaw scratch!

:lol: When he was campaigning Obama clearly said "I am a capitalist". Wasnt such a great statement since he came in and gave a bailout to some firms. Senator Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist. The Communist Party of Bangladesh, The Workers Party that we have in BD are democratic socialists. Evo Morales and Hugo Chavez are democratic socialists.
Regardless of the many philosophical differences among the Democrats and Republicans, the vast majority of Americans are ultra capitalists minded. That is the lay of the land, whether you like it or not and that is the environment/paradigm that Obama or any other US President has to work within. It is easier for Senator Sanders since he isn't in the executive branch of the government.

Only time will tell how much of a democrat Evo Morales is. Hugo Chavez may be a socialist but hardly a democrat. He various designs to perpetuate himself at the throne belies his ostensible democratic values.


Maybe you're pissed that Hugo Chavez is gonna cut off oil supply to the US (Thats what he said he would do if the US backed a Colombian attack on Venezuela). After all Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of oil to the US. Guess who will be paying more for gas. :)

That is an idle threat that would be foolish to carry out since US is more like the only customer. His economy is primarily built on selling oil to the US.

That is an idle threat that would be foolish to carry out since US is more like the only customer. His economy is primarily built up selling oil to the US.

He has backups. He has been pursuing south-south relations. He has made arrangments to sell oil to countries like South Africa and China. UNASUR, the union of South American Nations was also is his idea. Under this program Latin American countries will be able to import Venezuela's oil for their development.

Thing is Latin America has left leaning govts. in all countries right now who are united other than Mexico (where the last election was rigged) and Colombia (govt, very cozy with the US). If this was the 70s all these governments would have been removed by CIA. They cant do that now. I dont think Colombia would attack Venezuela right now. But if they did Im sure Chavez would react.

Hugo Chavez may be a socialist but hardly a democrat. He various designs to perpetuate himself at the throne belies his ostensible democratic values.

Well they are not illegal. He is a master politician no doubt. He ended constitutional limits on presidency but with a democratic vote. As I said he has been elected 3 times. When he was removed in 2002 in a coup people power brought him back.

The thing is Chavez's govt. is the only govt. in decades who is doing something about Venezuela's poverty. It has been a very rich country with a lot of oil where 2 parties just interchange power (Just like our AL and BNP)

i wonder how the owners of these cars react when they get a rickshaw scratch!

Beat up the richshaw walla.

If markets can do it then sure. But this is what Adam Smith said about markets: "Under conditions of perfect liberty, markets will lead to perfect equality". Notice the last part "perfect equality". Wasnt a very good argument but thats what he said.

Capitalism and market economy have bring in economic development and political emancipation to the mass in US, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Germany, UK, Australia (developed world) and is now changing lives of millions in other emerging economies moving towards it like Malaysia, India to even China.

It's not a perfect system, but it's the best we have got. Social welfare for elderly and the poorer section of the society within the framework of an overall capitalist society (as done in US-food stamps, unemployment benefit etc) is ofcourse fine. Market economy increases the overall size of the pie by creating competitive atmosphere for creativity and efficiency.

Anyways I am done with this aswell, back to cars now..

Toyota Motor Show gets good response
Star Business Report
http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/01/23/2004-01-23__bus01.jpg

The daylong Toyota Motor Show in Dhaka yesterday got good response from car lovers with sellers receiving orders from prospective customers.

"We received enough orders from customers as we introduced two new cars from Lexus and offered discount of Tk 50,000 on other models of Toyota vehicles," said an official of Navana Limited.


Navana Limited, sole distributor for Toyota and Hino vehicles in Bangladesh, organised the show, the first ever motor show in Bangladesh organised by an individual company.

Source : Daily Star


Various models of Toyota including Corolla, Avensis, Camry, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4, Hi Ace, Hi Lux and newly introduced LS430 and LX470 were put on display at the Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre, the show venue.

What about the new Avalon? LX-470 many models have been recalled worldwide. Toyota is already seeming like #1 in BD?

we only have recon cars in bangladesh

http://www.amartoyota.com/

we only have recon cars in bangladesh
That is incorrect. Yes, most of the cars on the roads are reconditioned (used), but the dealerships do sell brand new ones and some people do buy them (your garments industry owners perhaps?). Owing to the significant price differential most people can afford the reconditioned ones. In Bangladesh context, I find it to be a perfect fit, which in the long run is earth friendly. Nothing to be looked down upon.

That is incorrect. Yes, most of the cars on the roads are reconditioned (used), but the dealerships do sell brand new ones and some people do buy them (your garments industry owners perhaps?). Owing to the significant price differential most people can afford the reconditioned ones. In Bangladesh context, I find it to be a perfect fit, which in the long run is earth friendly. Nothing to be looked down upon.
1 1000 is brand new... and dealerships over charge... i know some folks who get their brand new rides shipped!

Toyota Motor Show gets good response
Star Business Report
http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/01/23/2004-01-23__bus01.jpg

The daylong Toyota Motor Show in Dhaka yesterday got good response from car lovers with sellers receiving orders from prospective customers.

"We received enough orders from customers as we introduced two new cars from Lexus and offered discount of Tk 50,000 on other models of Toyota vehicles," said an official of Navana Limited.


Navana Limited, sole distributor for Toyota and Hino vehicles in Bangladesh, organised the show, the first ever motor show in Bangladesh organised by an individual company.

Source : Daily Star


Various models of Toyota including Corolla, Avensis, Camry, Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4, Hi Ace, Hi Lux and newly introduced LS430 and LX470 were put on display at the Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre, the show venue.

I reckon this article is about 4-5 yrs old !! pls confirm!!

For everything about bangladeshi cars , the best place would be [B]wheelsbd.com. I get regualr updates about the new imports/tax rates etc...its a gr8 place to know all that!

1 1000 is brand new... and dealerships over charge... i know some folks who get their brand new rides shipped!
Yes, that is indeed correct, but like I said, it doesn't bother me a bit. The reconditioned cars look and feel just as new and given the road conditions and traffic pattern, they are quite appropriate. If they dealership do not overcharge, do you suggest they'll be able to maintain their fancy showrooms, repair facilities, and employ so many people? In Bangladesh you at least have the choice to bypass the dealers by ordering your automobiles from abroad. Here, you'd have no choice if you wish to buy new American cars. For foreign cars, you could order from abroad.

In Bangladesh you at least have the choice to bypass the dealers by ordering your automobiles from abroad. Here, you'd have no choice if you wish to buy new American cars. For foreign cars, you could order from abroad.

Yet cars are so much cheaper over there. Everybody has a car. In BD only after saving up for a while can a middle-class family buy a car.

I like the systems in cities like London, Seoul, Tokyo where the public transport system is good and pvt. transport is costly (with parking charges, tolls. etc.) that most people use public transport.

Yet cars are so much cheaper over there. Everybody has a car. In BD only after saving up for a while can a middle-class family buy a car.

I like the systems in cities like London, Seoul, Tokyo where the public transport system is good and pvt. transport is costly (with parking charges, tolls. etc.) that most people use public transport.
Cars aren't necessarily so much cheaper here. It was (historically) made affordable owing to the financing system which has become challenging in the present times owing to the economic slump. Traditionally, hardly anybody got denied for an auto loan. Now it isn't so easy.

The lack of good mass transit system in the United States, save for a few major cities, is by design. How else would they be able to support the automobile industry? Moreover, the love for cars and open roads is as American as apple pie.

Yes, that is indeed correct, but like I said, it doesn't bother me a bit. The reconditioned cars look and feel just as new and given the road conditions and traffic pattern, they are quite appropriate. If they dealership do not overcharge, do you suggest they'll be able to maintain their fancy showrooms, repair facilities, and employ so many people? In Bangladesh you at least have the choice to bypass the dealers by ordering your automobiles from abroad. Here, you'd have no choice if you wish to buy new American cars. For foreign cars, you could order from abroad.
again the khao khao mentality comes here... man if you see their balance sheet... le sigh!

very few get their stuff fixed from there except for govt agencies and embassies and mncs..

we do it the old school way... dholai khal..

Yet cars are so much cheaper over there. Everybody has a car. In BD only after saving up for a while can a middle-class family buy a car.

I like the systems in cities like London, Seoul, Tokyo where the public transport system is good and pvt. transport is costly (with parking charges, tolls. etc.) that most people use public transport.
because you dont have a friggin 300% tax

Cars aren't necessarily so much cheaper here. It was (historically) made affordable owing to the financing system which has become challenging in the present times owing to the economic slump. Traditionally, hardly anybody got denied for an auto loan. Now it isn't so easy.

The lack of good mass transit system in the United States, save for a few major cities, is by design. How else would they be able to support the automobile industry? Moreover, the love for cars and open roads is as American as apple pie.
we have financing here too but its f'ed up the folks who run bangladesh bank are by far the most illiterate buffoons i have seen and they think they are saving the economy!!

Yet cars are so much cheaper over there. Everybody has a car. In BD only after saving up for a while can a middle-class family buy a car.

I like the systems in cities like London, Seoul, Tokyo where the public transport system is good and pvt. transport is costly (with parking charges, tolls. etc.) that most people use public transport.
due to the undevoloped and unplanned nature of dhaka that is highly unfeasible

above that mentality has to change... its nichu to take the bus or public transport

because you dont have a friggin 300% tax
I'm all for high tariff and taxes on imported automobiles, especially the one with bigger engines and luxury types. Even that doesn't deter Dhaka folks to buy cars.

I'm all for high tariff and taxes on imported automobiles, especially the one with bigger engines and luxury types. Even that doesn't deter Dhaka folks to buy cars.
it never willl it doesnt work like that in bd...

due to the undevoloped and unplanned nature of dhaka that is highly unfeasible

above that mentality has to change... its nichu to take the bus or public transport

Or even walk! I know a friend who lives near the Road # 8 bridge in Dhanmondi and works at a bank on Road # 27. He chooses to drive to work (???), and then complains about the traffic. I suggested why he just doesn't walk, and he literally snubbed that idea, saying its too hot to do so!

Or even walk! I know a friend who lives near the Road # 8 bridge in Dhanmondi and works at a bank on Road # 27. He chooses to drive to work (???), and then complains about the traffic. I suggested why he just doesn't walk, and he literally snubbed that idea, saying its too hot to do so!
Or how about riding a bicycle to work? I find the whole attitude rather amusing (irritating actually). Dhaka is a city that is probably no more than 20 square miles in dimension, yet people create phenomenal (vehicular) traffic jams, just to travel a mere distance of five miles! :ohno:

Or even walk! I know a friend who lives near the Road # 8 bridge in Dhanmondi and works at a bank on Road # 27. He chooses to drive to work (???), and then complains about the traffic. I suggested why he just doesn't walk, and he literally snubbed that idea, saying its too hot to do so!
tell me about it, i remember there were i times when i walked from mirpur bangla college to the prime ministers office!

Or how about riding a bicycle to work? I find the whole attitude rather amusing (irritating actually). Dhaka is a city that is probably no more than 20 square miles in dimension, yet people create phenomenal (vehicular) traffic jams, just to travel a mere distance of five miles! :ohno:
often you wouldnt be able to walk via most road... people pee all over it the stench will kill you!

tell me about it, i remember there were i times when i walked from mirpur bangla college to the prime ministers office!

Hahaha, same here, I remember walking from Road#31 to Shamoli multiple times. Besides the point, but I also walked a bull from Gabtoli Haat to Laxmibazar! One of the best experiences of my life!

Hahaha, same here, I remember walking from Road#31 to Shamoli multiple times. Besides the point, but I also walked a bull from Gabtoli Haat to Laxmibazar! One of the best experiences of my life!
lol walking a cow is different...i went to visit a friend but was broke so yeah walked home

i walk cows from old dhaka thou... noyabazar

Or even walk! I know a friend who lives near the Road # 8 bridge in Dhanmondi and works at a bank on Road # 27. He chooses to drive to work (???), and then complains about the traffic. I suggested why he just doesn't walk, and he literally snubbed that idea, saying its too hot to do so!


Road#8 bridge to Road#27 is still a pretty long walk. If he wasnt going by car he would've been going by rickshaw.

Or how about riding a bicycle to work? I find the whole attitude rather amusing (irritating actually). Dhaka is a city that is probably no more than 20 square miles in dimension, yet people create phenomenal (vehicular) traffic jams, just to travel a mere distance of five miles! :ohno:

Dhaka is 350 square kilos. I wish ppl biked more. But what to do our women all were sharis so that takes out 50% of the population.

Dhaka is 350 square kilos. I wish ppl biked more. But what to do our women all were sharis so that takes out 50% of the population.
shaari bikers... lmao!!

the main reason is that walking n rickshawing isnt for boroloks... i remember the long as rickshaw rides i used to take from dhanmondi to bangla college or from banani to bangla college...

it used to be fun... i still miss those long as rickshaw rides!

Road#8 bridge to Road#27 is still a pretty long walk. If he wasnt going by car he would've been going by rickshaw.

I often walked from Dhanmondi 7/A to BUET because it was faster than rickshaw and Bus #13 when there was even a minor jam in Dhanmondi, Science Lab, or New Market. I would pick a rickshaw or bus and see if I could beat it to BUET, and consistently did over the 20-25 min walk.

shaari bikers... lmao!!
While it appears to be a safety hazard, women in southern Indian do it all the time. Just like you will see many women on mopeds (scooter) in Haryana/Punjab.

Where are all the car pictures?!!

Walking in Dhaka would be great if not for all the footpaths/pavements taken up by vendors and construction materials. I remember in the 80's walking from Green Road to Kawran Bazaar thru the narrow Kathal Bagan road. It's just not possible today. Why can't vendors be rehabilitated to designated spots? The whole city shouldn't be one big market place :ohno:

Where are all the car pictures?!!

Our threads go all over the place, so have patience. Someone will post a pic of a luxury sedan stuck in Dhaka traffic :)

I can understand it being harder to walk on Elephant Road or Gulistan, but not in places like Lalmatia, Dhanmondi or Mohammedpur.

I would like the government to encourage 'walking'/'biking' of people for short distances. That should help the traffic situation a lot. Besides, in places like interior of Dhanmondi, you really can walk everywhere, there are sidewalks that are not occupied.

While it appears to be a safety hazard, women in southern Indian do it all the time. Just like you will see many women on mopeds (scooter) in Haryana/Punjab.
i dont think bengali women are that versatile..

Walking in Dhaka would be great if not for all the footpaths/pavements taken up by vendors and construction materials. I remember in the 80's walking from Green Road to Kawran Bazaar thru the narrow Kathal Bagan road. It's just not possible today. Why can't vendors be rehabilitated to designated spots? The whole city shouldn't be one big market place :ohno:
if you try to do that you get labeled as a zalim whos giving a laaath to the pets of the goribs!

I can understand it being harder to walk on Elephant Road or Gulistan, but not in places like Lalmatia, Dhanmondi or Mohammedpur.

I would like the government to encourage 'walking'/'biking' of people for short distances. That should help the traffic situation a lot. Besides, in places like interior of Dhanmondi, you really can walk everywhere, there are sidewalks that are not occupied.
again those are upscale neighbourhoods and upscale people dont walk!

While it appears to be a safety hazard, women in southern Indian do it all the time. Just like you will see many women on mopeds (scooter) in Haryana/Punjab.

You'll see girls who work for NGOs in BD ride motorcycles in the village areas. But they wear slawar kamiz.

the main reason is that walking n rickshawing isnt for boroloks... i remember the long as rickshaw rides i used to take from dhanmondi to bangla college or from banani to bangla college...

it used to be fun... i still miss those long as rickshaw rides!

Indeed. We have a few on this forum (I wont mention names).

Indeed. We have a few on this forum (I wont mention names).
i believe thats the case for everyone besides me :D

I would bike all the time between DOHS Baridhara, Baridhara, Gulshan-2, Gulshan-1, Bashundhara, Banani. If you don't mind sweating and have a good bell or siren, it's good. I had a 8-sound siren thingy.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4951218296_18e3a25cc8_z.jpg
Porsche 911 Turbo in Gulshan-1

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4951218296_18e3a25cc8_z.jpg
Porsche 911 Turbo in Gulshan-1

Very nice car. Wonder where he revs up on Dhaka's roads?

Hey guys

i just joined this thread....

i know Jason but that's about it.

My name is Akbar, nice to meet you all.

I was watching some of the videos of Leepu near the beginning of the thread. I really have to get him to make me a car :lol:

Just looked back on some stuff...

I see that many of you people are very critical about people with luxury cars in Bangladesh

I do agree that a lot of them are "dui nombor" but there are a few who work hard for their money and buy fancy cars with that. Just felt like there was a lot of generalization.

My family has a fairly decent luxury vehicle and we are very religious people. (We hardly drive it around) and stay away from corruption.

^^
lol how do u knw jason? :)

We were buddies at school, if you will.

^^
thats nice :)

Hey guys

i just joined this thread....

i know Jason but that's about it.

My name is Akbar, nice to meet you all.

I was watching some of the videos of Leepu near the beginning of the thread. I really have to get him to make me a car :lol:


Welcome to SSC akbar....great to see more people joining us here:)

Just looked back on some stuff...

I see that many of you people are very critical about people with luxury cars in Bangladesh

I do agree that a lot of them are "dui nombor" but there are a few who work hard for their money and buy fancy cars with that. Just felt like there was a lot of generalization.

My family has a fairly decent luxury vehicle and we are very religious people. (We hardly drive it around) and stay away from corruption.
give me one good reason why I shouldnt be

and show me one person who drives such vehicles in bangladesh has it all Halal?

......

My family has a fairly decent luxury vehicle and we are very religious people. (We hardly drive it around) and stay away from corruption.

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Since you state that you and your family are rather religious, and from the name I deduce you are Muslim, are you aware of the edicts in Islam that all sorts of ostentation is harm? If as a Muslim male you refrain from wearing silk and gold (jewelry), how does a luxury car add up?

Sorry, couldn't resist but expound upon the idea of religiosity. :)

It's not a Porsche or a BMW or anything of that league, and it was brought from japan as a secondhand car in 2002 when the tax was lower and the price wasn't too steep.

Having isn't showing off. Our family is not "if you got it flaunt it" type people. My father wanted to get a luxury vehicle which is comfortable and does the job. There are much more exclusive and expensive options than a (secondhand) Lexus LS430. My father got it not to impress people, but because he wanted something for long drives and something he could be really comfortable in. Also maintenance for a Lexus is easier than German cars.

As I said, the car has pretty much become a museum piece and is used once in maybe two months.

For the day my mother and I use a Premio and my father uses a Prado. They are good cars for everyday use.

@Dopekhor-I'm not saying that you shouldn't be, what i am saying is you can never say that 100% of the people make money illegally.

by luxury vehicles we are referring to vehicles that cost over $150,000US

i never said 100% of the people make money illegally what i said was the owners of such vehicles do so

Oh I am sorry then, I misunderstood your idea of luxury vehicles. I thought you were referring to any car like BMW 5 series or Benz E-Class etc. etc.

I agree that cars over $150,000 are probably from corruption.

Imagine, SL65 AMG + loads of tax = a hell of a lot of money = chance that car was smuggled or brought tax free

or that it was black money.

i think a 5 series beemer hovers around that price tag these days with tax and all

i hope now you understand why i am critical of them

Yeah.

I am not critical of owners of cars such as 5 series, E-Class etc. etc as before tax they are around $50,000 and they are really quite common now. $150,000 is a lot of money for a car but with Dhaka tax it makes sense. I've seen Prados for around 95 lacs. 5-Series and E-Class are a bit more than that. Toyota Cygnus/Lexus LX470 is quite common around Dhaka because they were bought before this harsh tax.

Now it's well over 3 crore and I believe there are some new LX570's tuned by Wald. That can only be from corruption.

I am rather critical about people who have cars which are worth $150,000 before tax. Chances are a car of that price and league does not have a small engine. Say a car like Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. $200,000 starting price, 5.2L engine = $200,000 x 8.5 = well over $1m. (I know there aren't cars like here that but think about the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, SL65 AMG, Porsche 911 Turbo even BMW M5).

It's not a Porsche or a BMW or anything of that league, and it was brought from japan as a secondhand car in 2002 when the tax was lower and the price wasn't too steep.

Having isn't showing off. Our family is not "if you got it flaunt it" type people. My father wanted to get a luxury vehicle which is comfortable and does the job. There are much more exclusive and expensive options than a (secondhand) Lexus LS430. My father got it not to impress people, but because he wanted something for long drives and something he could be really comfortable in. Also maintenance for a Lexus is easier than German cars.

As I said, the car has pretty much become a museum piece and is used once in maybe two months.

For the day my mother and I use a Premio and my father uses a Prado. They are good cars for everyday use.

@Dopekhor-I'm not saying that you shouldn't be, what i am saying is you can never say that 100% of the people make money illegally.

Good for you. Looks like you and your family do abide by the tenets of the religion you espouse. More power to you.

^^I don't think a person's religiosity should be pushed into a debate about luxury cars in Dhaka. My concern is with the logic behind spending upwards of 50 lakhs taka on vehicles that will have to share the dilapidated streets and roads of Bangladesh with nuisance traffic who could care less for the expensive car. Dings and dents surely take a toll on the exterior of the vehicle not to mention the owner's pocketbook.

...
and my father uses a Prado. They are good cars for everyday use.


Welcome to forum Akbar (bhai?). Good to see a new member here.

We used to own a Prado in Kuwait and it was a very nice reliable 4WD vehicle. It actually had two gas tanks. When I came to the US, I looked for one but couldn't find any as it's not made for the American market. Instead I bought a Mitsubishi Montero (Pajero in BD) and drove it for 7 years. Served me very well during our treacherous winters.

^^
haha the American version of Pajero is called Montero xD ..... i saw one here and one in BD , and they were used by Americans working at the embassy!

^^I don't think a person's religiosity should be pushed into a debate about luxury cars in Dhaka. ....

Why not? If you project yourself to be "religious" yet your actions/behavior is to the contrary, it is a fair game to point that out, I should think. :)

Why not? If you project yourself to be "religious" yet your actions/behavior is to the contrary, it is a fair game to point that out, I should think. :)

A point well made.

If as a Muslim male you refrain from wearing silk and gold (jewelry), how does a luxury car add up?

Sorry, couldn't resist but expound upon the idea of religiosity

Its's haram for muslim men to wear gold & silk- as dictated by the prophet of allah (saw). Driving a luxury vehicle with halal earned income does not fall into the same realm in any way. The question for the owner of such vehicle is whether he could gain more closeness to Allah by perhaps making do with a cheaper vehicle & perhaps spending the money on things & people around him.
Unfortunately for the brother, 98% of bangladeshi would love to have a Premio & would consider that luxury enough. Never mind all 3 that he mentioned

If as a Muslim male you refrain from wearing silk and gold (jewelry), how does a luxury car add up?

Sorry, couldn't resist but expound upon the idea of religiosity

Its's haram for muslim men to wear gold & silk- as dictated by the prophet of allah (saw). Driving a luxury vehicle with halal earned income does not fall into the same realm in any way. The question for the owner of such vehicle is whether he could gain more closeness to Allah by perhaps making do with a cheaper vehicle & perhaps spending the money on things & people around him.
Unfortunately for the brother, 98% of bangladeshi would love to have a Premio & would consider that luxury enough. Never mind all 3 that he mentioned
Islam has forbidden silk so that people will keep away from it for the sake of Allah, so they will be rewarded for that. Others reply that it’s basically created for women, as is the case with gold jewelry, so it’s forbidden for men lest it corrupts them by making them resemble women. Some scholars maintain that silk is forbidden because of what it may lead to in the way of pride and showing-off. Others relate the ruling (prohibition) to its having effect of femininity on men, as it goes against his masculinity and manliness. This applies to all men, even the most masculine and chivalrous of them. Whoever is too dense to understand this should just submit to the Wise Law-maker.

Islam has forbidden silk so that people will keep away from it for the sake of Allah, so they will be rewarded for that. Others reply that it’s basically created for women, as is the case with gold jewelry, so it’s forbidden for men lest it corrupts them by making them resemble women. Some scholars maintain that silk is forbidden because of what it may lead to in the way of pride and showing-off. Others relate the ruling (prohibition) to its having effect of femininity on men, as it goes against his masculinity and manliness. This applies to all men, even the most masculine and chivalrous of them. Whoever is too dense to understand this should just submit to the Wise Law-maker.

How about simulated "silk"? :D

I don't know about gold in particular, but the nobility, Muslim nobility, had been wearing jewelry since post Caliphate days.

AFAIK Silk/Gold is not forbidden in the Quran.

AFAIK Silk/Gold is not forbidden in the Quran.

It appears you may be correct, sir. In that case, I would be least bothered.

How about simulated "silk"? :D

I don't know about gold in particular, but the nobility, Muslim nobility, had been wearing jewelry since post Caliphate days.
these words apparently can be traced to the Sahi Hadith

and they are the words of the Prophet (pbuh) where as the Quran is the word of Allah (swt) and we are to follow the Sunnah of our prophet!

AFAIK Silk/Gold is not forbidden in the Quran.
There is, however, a social aim underlying these prohibitions. The prohibition of gold and silk to males is part of a broader Islamic program of combating luxuriousness in living. From the Qur'anic point of view, luxurious living leads to weakness among nations and to their eventual downfall; the existence of luxury is also an expression of social injustice, as only a few can afford luxurious items at the expense of the deprived masses of people.

In addition to this, luxurious living is an enemy of every call towards truth, justice, and social reform. The Qur'an says: "And when We intend that We should destroy a township, we permit its luxury-loving people to commit wickedness therein. Then the word is proved true against it, and We then destroy it utterly." (Al-Isra': 16) and again, "And We did not send a warner to any township without its luxury-loving people saying, 'Assuredly we are disbelievers in that with which you have been sent.'" (Saba': 34)


Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543168#ixzz10KFGZNbx

these words apparently can be traced to the Sahi Hadith

and they are the words of the Prophet (pbuh) where as the Quran is the word of Allah (swt) and we are to follow the Sunnah of our prophet!

While I dont care much about religion, if its not in the Quran then why bother? Since Quran is the book for Muslims. Hadith is full of sketchy verses and there is no guarantee of its authenticity.

In addition to this, luxurious living is an enemy of every call towards truth, justice, and social reform.

Well Im all for a system that allows social justice and prevents luxury living. The present system does not. All the politicians who preach Islam live luxury lives themselves.

@ Dopekhor

It probably makes be a bad Muslim. :D But when it comes to religion and the practice thereof, I pick and choose, regardless who says what, which book says what. As such my primary focus is the Quran and nothing much else.

While I dont care much about religion, if its not in the Quran then why bother? Since Quran is the book for Muslims. Hadith is full of sketchy verses and there is no guarantee of its authenticity.



Well Im all for a system that allows social justice and prevents luxury living. The present system does not. All the politicians who preach Islam live luxury lives themselves.
as a muslim you are to take the Hadiths seriously and most of the Bukhari Shariff is sahi hadith and the hadiths that contradict the Quran isnt a hadith its false!

as a muslim you are to take the Hadiths seriously and most of the Bukhari Shariff is sahi hadith

So is it true the Prophet married a six year old girl?

and the hadiths that contradict the Quran isnt a hadith its false!

If gold and silk are forbidden in the Hadith but not in the Quran then that is clearly a contradiction

@ Dopekhor

It probably makes be a bad Muslim. :D But when it comes to religion and the practice thereof, I pick and choose, regardless who says what, which book says what. As such my primary focus is the Quran and nothing much else.
you cant pick and choose in islam :)

We need to bring this thread back to topic..

^^
agreed :)

people u wanna talk about religion, start another thread

^^
agreed :)

people u wanna talk about religion, start another thread

Thats right,this thread has gone way off topic

Thats right,this thread has gone way off topic

Why don't you move it along by posting some new(er) pictures? :D

^^It always seem to boil down to this whenever religion is brought into an issue and hence my comments earlier about religiosity and luxury. In conclusion, Islam does not prevent Muslims from enjoying halal comforts and luxury as long as it's not ostentatious and the person enjoying is otherwise caring for the poor.


And this is to King, bro, you need to have more respect of your fellow members here. You have a gripe about Islam and that's been laid out plainly from previous comments and it's fine, but please refrain from bringing the Prophet(SAW), his wives or character into the picture. It is very demeaning and hurts people's sentiments.

^^It always seem to boil down to this whenever religion is brought into an issue and hence my comments earlier about religiosity and luxury. In conclusion, Islam does not prevent Muslims from enjoying halal comforts and luxury as long as it's not ostentatious and the person enjoying is otherwise caring for the poor.


And this is to King, bro, you need to have more respect of your fellow members here. You have a gripe about Islam and that's been laid out plainly from previous comments and it's fine, but please refrain from bringing the Prophet(SAW), his wives or character into the picture. It is very demeaning and hurts people's sentiments.

And with that said, let's really try to move back into the topic of the thread. So, no (further) rebuttal, please! Thank you all. :)

^^It always seem to boil down to this whenever religion is brought into an issue and hence my comments earlier about religiosity and luxury. In conclusion, Islam does not prevent Muslims from enjoying halal comforts and luxury as long as it's not ostentatious and the person enjoying is otherwise caring for the poor.


And this is to King, bro, you need to have more respect of your fellow members here. You have a gripe about Islam and that's been laid out plainly from previous comments and it's fine, but please refrain from bringing the Prophet(SAW), his wives or character into the picture. It is very demeaning and hurts people's sentiments.
well said, fully concur with you
Any locals posting any new pics? perhaps even some from outta Dhaka would be nice. Though I admit there may not be that many luxury vehicles outside the concentration of the Capital.

there was the site wheelsbd.com , it had everything about cars in bangladesh, but due to internal conflicts, the site is down atm!

there was the site wheelsbd.com , it had everything about cars in bangladesh, but due to internal conflicts, the site is down atm!

Where there are (Bangla)deshis there are conflicts! :ohno:

^^
:ohno:
i know right!

So is it true the Prophet married a six year old girl?



If gold and silk are forbidden in the Hadith but not in the Quran then that is clearly a contradiction
did you find that in the hadith?

no where does it say in the quran that it is halal you better get your facts right instead of pulling stuff out of your ass!

did you find that in the hadith?

no where does it say in the quran that it is halal you better get your facts right instead of pulling stuff out of your ass!

Yup. That too Bukhari. Which was what the whole Salman Rushdie controversy was about. Now the ones who disagree say that the Hadith was collected 300 years after the Prophet's death.

So if something is not specified as halal in the Quran it cannot be halal? Like the Quran doesnt forbid music and art but that doesnt say its halal either. So what are we to concur? That its fine and permissible. But if the Hadith says its haram then that makes it a clear contradiction.

No offence to anyone just seeking the truth.

Not just in Switzerland but most developed countries. The Asian origin parents living in the developed countries however, try to steer their kids into "safe" vocation (professions) like medicine, engineering. Many rebel and choose non hard sciences. My observation has been that those among such group, go all the way to earn a PhD, do just as well, as far as earning a good living is concerned.

That is so true...I was pressured to study medicine and I didn't rebel so I'm in the medical field. But I just wish us Bangladeshi-American professionals would have some base to contribute something great to Bangladesh.

I wish one day Bangladesh repeats history and becomes the rich Golden Bengal again...insh'Allah.

That is so true...I was pressured to study medicine and I didn't rebel so I'm in the medical field. But I just wish us Bangladeshi-American professionals would have some base to contribute something great to Bangladesh.

I wish one day Bangladesh repeats history and becomes the rich Golden Bengal again...insh'Allah.

Well good for you and your folks that you stuck with medicine. Not only you will never have to worry about money, but your motivation to help Bangladesh in kind, will become possible once you become a successful physician with fame and fortune. Good luck. :)

Okay folks, we have been way way off base! Take all those to Adda, and let us resume discussing, posting pictures about luxury cars in Bangladesh.

Please let me have your cooperation. Thanks.

there was the site wheelsbd.com , it had everything about cars in bangladesh, but due to internal conflicts, the site is down atm!


Now there's r3vbd.com which was made by some ex-wheelsbd members

http://www.edailystar.com/contents/2010/2010_10_17/content_zoom/2010_10_17_25_7_b.jpg

AFAIK Silk/Gold is not forbidden in the Quran.

While Hudhaifa was at Al-Madain, he asked for water whereupon the chief of the village brought him water in a silver cup. Hudhaifa threw it at him and said, "I have thrown it only because I have forbidden him to use it, but he does not stop using it. Allah's Apostle said, 'Gold, Silver, Silk and Dibaj(a kind of silk) are for them(unbelievers) in this world and for you(Muslims) in the hereafter."

Narrated by Ibn Abi Laila
Shahi Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72(Dress), Hadith No. 722

"The Prophet(PBUH) said, whoever wears silk in this world shall not wear it in hereafter."

Narrated by Anas Bin Malik
Shaih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72(Dress), Hadith No. 723

May be it's not mentioned in Al-Quran clearly. But there are so many things which are not mentioned in Al-Quran. But our Prophet told about those things. And that's why we are not told to follow only Quran, we are told to follow Quran and the life of our beloved Prophet Mohammad(PBUH) which is Hadith. Gold are for women as we know from many Hadith. I found it somewhere that men can only wear gold of that amount, with which he can solve his problem or come back home while he is travling and find himself in any sort of trouble(like losing all the money or robbed). Even our beloved Prophet(PBUH) did wear gold ring and had the name 'Mohammad, the Apostle of Allah' engraved on it. But HE threw it when he found that so many of his followers started to wear this kinda gold rings. There is a Hadith regarding this incident which was narrated by Ibn 'Umar.

........
Narrated by Ibn Abi Laila
Shahi Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72(Dress), Hadith No. 722

"The Prophet(PBUH) said, whoever wears silk in this world shall not wear it in hereafter."

That's not such a bad deal.

Cars from R3V:

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=579

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=415

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=414
Infiniti G35

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=101
BMW

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=69
BMW & Infiniti G35

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=15&image_id=66
Land Rover Range Rover

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=8&image_id=914
Nissan Cefiro

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=8&image_id=14
Toyota Mark X

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=6&image_id=748
2009 Toyota Premio

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=6&image_id=703
Lexus LX470 and Mitsuoka Nouera

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=6&image_id=702
Mitsuoka Nouera

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=6&image_id=701
Mitsuoka Nouera

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=928
Honda Prelude

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=926
Honda Prelude

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?
mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=892
Mazda RX-8

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=805
BMW M3

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=696
Mercedes-Benz SLK200

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=623
Ford Mustang

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=622
Ford Mustang

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=578
Mazda RX-8

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=561
Mini Cooper

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=553
Nissan 350Z

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=257
BMW M3

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=935
BMW 5 Series

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=764
BMW 7 Series

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=397
Mercedes-Benz E200 AMG

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=380
Mercedes-Benz C300 Kompressor

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=379
Audi A6

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=305
Mercedes-Benz S Class

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=116
Lexus GS350

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=105
BMW 7 Series

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=575
Lotus Elise

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=388
Porsche 911

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=341
BMW 6 Series

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=276
Porsche 996 Turbo

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=277
Porsche 996 Turbo

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=164
Ferrari 328 GTS

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=10&image_id=98
Porsche 997 Turbo

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=777
Mazda 1500

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=761
Classic Mercedes-Benz Sedan

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=679
1966 Ford Mustang

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=641
1972 Pontiac LeMans

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=592
Antique Volkswagen Beetle

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=407
Jaguar SS

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=399
Cadillac Deville

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=346
1956 Chevrolet Sedan

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=12&image_id=342
Austin

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=705
Porsche Cayenne Techart

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=690
Range Rover Sport HSE

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=640
BMW X6 Lumma

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=576
Porsche Cayenne Magnum and Land Rover Ranger Rover Exige

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=467
Land Rover TDI

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=448
Nissan Murano

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=348
Land Rover Range Rover Sport

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=242
BMW X6

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=241
Audi Q5

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=16&image_id=111
Hummer

http://i.imgur.com/1BWzr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/owpq3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Jo1Jo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CnjgU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rDB3s.jpg

^^
dude, thats a funny car but this thread is more about luxury cars in BD :)

More luxury cars from Drivetime Dhaka:

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110215-00808.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110215-00807.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110215-00806.jpg
2011 Mercedes E250 CGI Convertible

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110211-00709.jpg
Techart 911 and Hennessey Camaro

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110211-00708.jpg
Nissan GTR

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10004/normal_wheels.jpg
2010 E Coupe Lorinser

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_36137_447959396222_509596222_6371928_4867857_n.jpg
Audi A5

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_10635_159393926222_509596222_3990458_8364849_n.jpg
Porsche 911 Meetup

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110108-00016.jpg
Mercedes E200K

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/normal_IMG-20110107-00006.jpg
2010 BMW M3

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/2011/IMG_0474.jpg
Range Rover and Techart Porsche Cayenne Turbo

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_Image008.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_Image009~0.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_Image010.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_Image011.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_10022007491.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_Image012.jpg
Hamann Tuned BMW M5

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/normal_IMG_6ew022.jpg
Hennessey Chevrolet Camaro HPE 650

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0144.jpg
Mini Cooper One

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/IMG_0331.JPG
Mercedes Benz E200 AvanteGarde

http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/photo_1.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/photo_2.jpg
http://www.drivetimedhaka.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/photo_3.jpg
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=8&image_id=1064
Ferrari

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=7&image_id=1028
Lotus Exige

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1145
Infiniti M45

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1139
Infiniti Q45

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1088
Audi A5

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1087
Infiniti M35

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=1065
2010 BMW 740 LI

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=935
2010 BMW 5 Series

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=379
Audi A6

http://www.r3vbd.com/community/gallery/image.php?mode=medium&album_id=13&image_id=258
Jaguar S

Nice collection of car pics there!

aw those new Mercedes is super sexy :D

All Mercedes-Benz's are super sexy, not just the new ones :)