Pakistan will soon have two new motor cycle plants ? of Honda and Yamaha ? leading brands in the sector. The two Japanese companies have the distinction of giving middle class Pakistani youth as also middle aged people an easy and economical means of commuting. Amongst the two, Yamaha had come to Pakistan somewhat earlier than Honda, but Honda set up a plant and Yamaha stayed content with marketing imported bikes.
Japan?s Suzuki motor cycles too had been visible on our roads for a few years, but like Yamaha they too disappeared after a while. Being cheap and of reasonable quality, Chinese bikes now have a big share of Pak market. But despite higher price, Honda is the most liked and dependable bike in Pakistan. Annual production of motorcycles in Pakistan is around 1.8 million.
Atlas Honda, the Pakistani company manufacturing Honda motorcycles, has decided to invest another $ 200 million for launching higher models of motorcycle. A formal announcement about new Honda bikes is expected in a couple of months by Chairman Honda Motors, according to information provided by Yusuf H Shirazi, Chairman Atlas Group to Engineering Development Board. Atlas Honda is very happy over government?s policy for introducing new technology in motorcycle industry. Atlas Honda has invested over $300 million in its motorcycle plant. President of Honda Motors will soon visit Pakistan to mark completion of 50 years of Atlas Honda in Pakistan. Under the new motorcycle policy, Atlas Honda plans to introduce newer models.
The company will invest $ 200 million for this. Yamaha is also happy over the new policy. It had been running from pillar to post for the last four years to install a Yamaha plant in Karachi ($150 million investment). Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has assured top Yamaha officials that their proposed plant would soon be decided by Economic Coordination Committee. Yamaha is in full gear to set up its sales and manufacturing units in Pakistan. Its state of the art plant will be spread over 50 acres at National Industrial Park near Bin Qasim. The plant will manufacture motorcycles of 100cc and above engines. Yamaha aims to achieve high ratio of localization, starting from 25% local parts/ components on Day 1 of commercial production, it plans to move up to 85% in five years.