ISLAMABAD, March 23: The import of complete knocked-down (CKD) and semi-knocked-down (SKD) cars recorded a decline of 8.44 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (July-February) over the same period last year.

Official figures compiled by the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) showed that import of CKD and SKD vehicles declined to 26,477 units during the period under review against 28,507 units imported by the local automotive industry during the same period last year.

At the same time, the statistics revealed, that import of complete built-up unit (CBU) cars also registered a negative growth of 9.14 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year over the same period last year.

In absolute terms, the number of the imported CBU cars stood at 16,825 units during the July-February period of this year against 18,267 units imported during the same period last year.

A representative of a local automobile unit on condition of anonymity ruled out that there was a decline in local production of cars.

He attributed the decline in the import of CKD and SKD vehicles to inventory adjustment problems.

However, the decline in import of CBU cars, which mainly includes used cars, was due to amendments in the last year’s trade policy, which discouraged import of used cars, besides lesser local demands.

A further break-up showed that the decline in import of CDK and SKD units was due to 15.98 per cent decline in import of cars. However, the import of buses, trucks increased by 10.77 per cent and motorcycles by 16.96 per cent.

In the CBU condition, the import of buses, trucks dipped by 23.85 per cent and motor cars 1.10 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year over last year. However, import of motorcycles was up by 10.88 per cent.

According to statistics, the import of parts and accessories of the automobile sectors also declined by 20.17 per cent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year over last year.