THE policymakers, including the Ministry of Industries and the Engineering Development Board, have done a commendable job by introducing innovative measures on the booking of automobiles. Earlier, strong lobbies of the auto sector used to keep such things away from the customers and all previous auto policies showed clear tilt towards the manufacturers.

However, the success of the current policy would be seen in its strict implementation. The government has introduced policy measures for the first time for the reduction in prices and protection to the customers.

According to these polices, there will be compulsory payment of Karachi inter-bank offered rate (Kibor) plus three per cent mark-up by the manufacturers on delivery beyond 60 days; maximum upfront payment on booking not to exceed 20 per cent of the invoice value at the time of booking; and real-time trackable online booking and manufacturing status.

This real-time trackable online booking and manufacturing status policy is the most innovative step in nature, linking the buyers with the manufacturers electronically. This measure, if implemented, will be the most satisfying for the customers to know exactly how far they are from getting their booked automobile. But the real issue remains with the policy’s implementation.

To quote an instance, Regal Motors launched with a big bang an SUV, Glory 580 Pro, in December 2020, featuring artificial intelligence. Many like me rushed for its booking in January. The authorised dealers, Rana Motors, welcomingly booked the vehicle by charging Rs1.5 million with verbal assurance of delivery in June. However, the booking receipt nowhere mentioned anything about the delivery timeframe. On June 14, I was called up to pay the balance of about Rs3 million as full and final payment with assurance of delivery by the end of the month. Then came a fresh promise for the third week of July, and now they have moved it to August. This is frustrating, but I hope this time it will be final and will not be extended further.

I wish the policy will be implemented in letter and in spirit, and buyers like me will have access to the status of their car delivery, and will be compensated for the reduction in prices as well.

Name withheld on request
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2021