Rs. 4 Lacs “ON” on Suzuki Alto, Being Sold for Rs. 2,800,000
Suzuki Pakistan is one of the biggest car assemblers in Pakistan; however, due to the country’s current economic conditions, the company didn’t produce a single car in January 2023. As per the company, the non-issuance of Letters of Credit (LCs) by the State Bank and the ban on importing CKD kits resulted in continuous Non-Production Days last month. The company extended the shutdown of its production plant multiple times.
Current “ON” on Suzuki Alto
Resultantly, there are no new Suzuki cars in the market, leading to huge “ON Money” on the short stock of vehicles. Different media reports suggested that Suzuki Alto, one of the most sold cars in Pakistan, is being sold at a considerable premium. To confirm the reports, PakWheels.com contacted different dealerships of Suzuki in Lahore and Karachi. Most of the dealerships told us there is no stock of Alto, hence, no sales.
However, a few dealerships said that the car, Suzuki Alto VXL AGS, the top variant, is available but with “ON.” One of the officials told us that the current rate on this specific car is Rs. 400,000 and can be bought for Rs. 2,800,000. It is pertinent to mention that the current price of this variant is Rs. 2,423,000. “We can arrange this car for you, but you have to pay the premium for immediate delivery,” one of the dealerships said, adding that there is very little margin for negotiations.
This shows the current plight of the auto industry; there is limited production, a dearth of cars in the market, and a race among consumers to get the new hatchback by hook or crook. And the ongoing devaluation of PKR against the USD doesn’t paint a hopeful picture of the immediate future of the car industry and market.
What is your take about the “ON” on Suzuki Alto? Is it justified? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.