KARACHI: Despite a stronger Pak rupee against Japanese yen and other international currencies in the last one year, Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL) has increased the prices of motorbikes.

Meanwhile, Atlas Honda Limited (AHL) had decreased the price of its most popular motorbike models by Rs6,000 on an average.

Also read: Bike maker slashes prices

The new prices of Suzuki bikes had become effective from March 27, 2015.

When contacted, an official of the PSMCL did not give a clear answer as to why the prices were increased despite depreciation of Japanese yen. “The prices have been raised to adjust the high cost of production,” he said, adding that the company imports parts and accessories from various countries and pays both in yen and dollar.

According to a PSMCL circular sent to its authorised dealers, the new price of Raider is Rs101,400 as compared to Rs96,400. The company had raised the price of GS-150 to Rs128,500 from Rs122,000 in June 2014. Sprinter ECO DEL’s new price is Rs88,400 from Rs83,400.

The company had also jacked up the price of imported costly bikes of high engine power. The new price of Hayabusa GSX1300 price had been pushed up to Rs2.6 million from Rs2.5 million, followed by Intruder VZ800 to Rs1.7 million from Rs1.6 million and Bandit GSF650SA to Rs1.550 million from Rs1.5 million.

The PSMCL official said that company is providing Inazuma bikes to Motorway Police. He added that around 150 heavy bikes had been imported in the last one year.

Also read: Pak Suzuki raises bike prices

Bike production prospects appear brisk in view of rising imports of completely knocked down (CKD) and semi knocked down kits (SKD).

Chairman Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers Mohammad Sabir Shaikh said production cost of Pak Suzuki is higher than its competitors as the company has been active in introducing bikes with latest engines and high quality parts.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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