KARACHI, July 12: Except for 42 per cent decline in sales of buses, the entire auto sector gave a robust performance marked by increase in car sales by 22.2 per cent followed by rise in motorcycle sales 24 per cent, trucks 27.7 per cent, light commercial vehicles (LCVs) 27.4 per cent and farm tractors by 88 per cent in 2005-06 as compared to 2004-05.

According to figures compiled by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), a total of 155,514 cars were sold in 2005-06 as compared to 127,309 units in 2004-05, thanks to sustainable ‘artificial’ demand, triggered by the auto financing introduced by banks and leasing companies, despite rise in car financing rates.

The import of used cars stood at 45,479 units in July-June 2005-06 as compared to 11,877 units in 2004-05 but it has failed to give a real jerk to the high demand of locally assembled cars like Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Mehran, Suzuki Cultus, Toyota petrol version and Honda City. However, import of used cars, jeeps and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) had given a tough time to Toyota Altis, Toyota Diesel, Honda Civic, Daihatsu Cuore and Hyundai Santro in terms of very thin advance booking orders in the last six months.

Interestingly, the demand for both imported used cars and locally produced cars have remained very hot during the last fiscal. It means that there is a big vacuum in demand and supply estimated at 30,000-40,000 units.

However, the rising used car imports have led to bottoming out of high premiums being charged on locally made cars by the authorised dealers. Besides, delivery period has shrunk due to import of used cars coupled with rising production capacities by the car makers, but in high demand vehicles the delivery period still ranges between two to four months.

Abdul Azeem of Invest Cap says that interest rates, although slightly higher than before, are still low enough to encourage car financing. Introduction of new models and overall economic growth have also boosted the auto demand during 2005-06.

He says that the outlook for auto sales remains robust for 2006-07. Even though the leasing rates have started to edge up due to rising interest rates the demand and supply gap still remains large enough for auto assemblers to post impressive sales performance in the new fiscal.

Pak Suzuki holds 52 per cent market share followed by 29 per cent by Indus Motor Company, 18 per cent by Honda and five per cent by Dewan Farooqui Motors.

Sales of motorcycles by PAMA members have surged to 516,640 units from 417,066 units and if non-PAMA members’ sales are included then the total figures crossed over 700,000 units in 2005-06.

The entry of Chinese bikes in the market has proved a sheer benefit for the low income people who appear crazier for the Chinese bikes because of price difference of Rs19,000--20,000 from Honda CDI 70cc bike. However, Honda still holds 50 per cent market share with sales of 360,000 units in 2005-06 out of total sales of 700,000 units. Now over 40 Chinese bike-makers compete with Honda in 70cc segment.

Motorcycle is still considered as the cheapest mode of transport, especially in rural areas for its price tag as well as for low petrol consumption.

Increased economic activity, resulting in cargo movement of both import and export items in the country, has pushed up sales of trucks (mainly Hino, Nissan, Isuzu and Master) to 4,273 units in 2005-06 from 3,345 units. However, sales of Dong Feng remained depressed as it could only sell 16 units as compared to 27 units in the last fiscal. Similarly, sales of LCVs surged to 31,922 units from 25,056 units.

Increase in import of used buses in the last fiscal year coupled with investors’ least interest in buying locally assembled buses for urban transport scheme, made a dent in the sales of locally assembled buses (Hino, Nissan, Dong Feng, Master and Isuzu), falling to 927 units from 1,605 units in the last fiscal.

Farm tractors’ sales (Fiat New Holland and Massey Ferguson Millat) rose to 48,802 units as compared to 43,578 units.