Sales of Cars In Pakistan Up By 17pc In First 9 Months Of FY2015-16
The Pakistani automobile sector is having one of its best times with regards to sales. The first nine months (July’15-Mar’16) of FY2015-16 saw sales of 64,882 units of cars (1300 cc and above) compared to 55,255 units of cars in July’14-Mar’15. That is an increase of more than 17%. Total number of cars (all cc) stood at 137,206 for July’15-Mar’16 compared to 105,344 units of July’14-Mar’15 (increase of 30.25%).
Also Read: Pakistan Approves The New Auto Policy For The Next Five Years
Honda Civic and City sales were up a bit more than 2000 units in July’15-Mar’16 (18,542) compared to 16,405 units in July’14-Mar’15. Suzuki Swift only had an increase of 407 units (2,996 units compared to 2589 units). And as expected, Toyota Corolla saw the most increase with 43,344 units sold in July’15-Mar’16 compared to 36,238 units in July’14-Mar’15. That is an increase of 19.6%.
In under 1000 cc category, Suzuki Wagon R has taken the top spot with 6,857 units this fiscal year compared to 3,337 units in first nine months of the previous financial year. That is an increase of impressive 105.48%. The sales have more than doubled. Although the news that Cultus will be discontinued soon has been circulating lately, that has not deterred people from buying the popular hatchback, and Suzuki has managed to sell a tad more than 1000 units in current fiscal year’s first 9th months (11,747 units in July’15-Mar’16).
In sub 800 cc cars, both Mehran, and Bolan have seen healthy sales with 28,367 unit of Mehran and 25,348 units of Bolan sold in July’15-Mar’16 compared to 22,269 and 13,932 units respectively in corresponding months of FY2014-15. For Suzuki Bolan, that is an increase of almost 82%. And same is the case with Suzuki Ravi. Suzuki managed to sell 25,348 units in July’15-Mar’16 compared to 13,999 units in July’14-Mar’15. The high sales of both Bolan and Ravi can be safely attributed to Punjabi Green Taxi Scheme.
In motorcycles, as expected, Honda took the winning spot with 601,764 units in July’15-Mar’16 compared to 464,839 units in July’14-Mar’15. And that is an increase of notable 29.5%. The new entrant Yamaha has been able to sell 12,380 unit in these nine months. But on the other hand, Suzuki motorcycle sales have fallen to 13,119 this year compared to 16,668 units in corresponding months of last financial year. United Auto Motorcycles, the makers of motorcycles and 3-wheelers posted sales of remarkable 192,304 units in these nine months compared to 169,131 units in 9 months of last fiscal year.
The auto industry has no doubt seen some healthy growth and number of sales of cars in Pakistan is a proof of that. Although there have been instances where some companies have posted fewer sales compared to last year, but overall, one can safely say that the general trend has been positive. Since the new auto policy has been announced, it will be interesting to see how it would impact the sales of current leaders and if the threat of new entrant will make them tighten their game.