Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has termed the report by Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) obsolete saying the report, which is available at CCP’s website with the title “Competition impact assessment of automobile industry October 2014”, is based on the information of the auto industry position up to 2012.
In a letter to the Director Competition Policy and Research Department CCP, Kishwar Khan, the Director General PAMA, Abdul Waheed Khan stated that “the October 2014 report cannot reflect an accurate position if it is based on more than two years old data,”
The DG PAMA said that the import policies of Pakistan are already very liberal and it is pointless to recommend opening imports when there is a plethora of imported cars on the roads already.
The head of local-new-car mafia further said that the CCP should curb the imported-used-car mafia instead of suggesting higher depreciation allowance and increased age limit for used cars as it impacts the economy negatively.
He said that in 2012-13, only 134,849 vehicles were locally produced as compared to 88,399 vehicles which were imported and the proposal by CCP would not address the local competition issues rather it would favour the foreign manufacturers.
He emphasized that the car manufacturers have no control over the prices after delivery saying,
“CCP should have verified if any of the car OEMs indeed charging any extra amount than their publicly announced car price. Auto assemblers are not involved in controlling the prices at which cars are sold after delivery to the primary customer.
“Technically after booking, the vehicle becomes its owner’s property and he is legally allowed to dispose it of to another party for any amount of money that the two sides agree to. Therefore, on-money (premium) is a purely sub market phenomenon and there is no involvement from any OEM,” he added.
“If the CCP is working in the best interest of Pakistani consumer, it should have recommended adjustment in the applicable taxes for lowering vehicle prices significantly. Consumers pay about 33 per cent as tax to the government on a locally assembled car,” he further said in the letter.
The CCP report is not accurate and it should be immediately removed from CCP’s website, said DG PAMA.
via DAWN
I was very happy to read the report as it shows that we do have honest policy makers and officers in competition commission of Pakistan who really want to benefit the consumers but this evil trio (Pak-Thuzuki, Toyota, honda) is so politically connected that the recommendations of CCP are not listened to :'(
locally manufactured cars are garbage.I used suzuki fx 1987, suzuki swift 1992, suzuki cultass 2004 and all were junk.I overhauled the gearbox in all three cars.Changed the clutch plate after 60,000 km and the pins of the doors at least three times for each car.The Pakistani consumer has the right to buy quality products and should not be forced to buy trash.
We will have to point out all the factors encircling us rather than declaring the local manufacturer thugs. They are the opportunists and the opportunity is provided by unfavorable industrial growth emanating by wrong or obsolete policies, power shortage, and FBR tax net which is confined to the mere 5% of people who are burdened with paying the taxes of rest of the population. Inviting foreign manufacturer to work in joint ventures with local manufacturer for their growth, introducing idea of open market, giving incentives to investors will lead to competition and can do wonders.
Only if our politicians open their eyes and realize that people don’t need sasti roti for sustainable income but sound policies which are the only way out of this quagmire.