KARACHI: Even as some assemblers resumed plant operations, auto sector continued to post a gloomy outlook as the total car production and sales in May stood alarmingly low at 656 and 3,800 units.

However, it might have provided some solace compared to the figure of zero in April due to lockdown. This production and sales of cars declined by 54.5 per cent and 54pc in 11MFY20 to 89,284 and 89,130 units.

According to Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association data, Punjab-based Honda Atlas Cars, which was opened much ahead of units in Sindh, produced and sold 71 and 263 units in May while 11MFY20 figures came down by 71pc and 67pc to 11,259 and 12,252 units, respectively.

Toyota Corolla production and sales in May stood at 196 and 294 units while the same for 11MFY20 dropped 59pc each to 21,436 and 21,285 units.

In the 1,000cc segment, Suzuki Cultus and WagonR posted zero output while sales were 922 and 386 units, respectively.

Sales of Suzuki Bolan and Alto660cc were registered at 386 and 1,304 units in May despite no production.

In heavy vehicles, no production of trucks was recorded in May but Hino, Master, Isuzu and JAC sold out three, nine, 56 and eight units, respectively. Overall output and volume of trucks in 11MFY20 fell by 53pc and 48pc to 2,732 and 2,845 units.

Similarly, there was no production and sale of buses in May while the 11MFY20 figures stood lower by 44.3pc and 38pc to 462 and 535 units.

Among two-wheelers, Honda produced and sold 782,630 and 783,863 bikes in 11MFY20, showing a fall of 24pc each.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2020