KARACHI, Aug 29: The production and sales of locally assembled cars soared by 42 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, during the first month of the current financial year over the corresponding month of the last fiscal.

A total of 3,991 units of cars were rolled out in July 2002, as compared to 2,794 units in the same month last year. Sales in July 2002 flared up to 3,691 units as against 3,044 units in the same month of 2001, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) figures showed.

An assembler attributed the increase in production and sales to the rising demand of cars since March this year, change of models by two leading Japanese assemblers and attractive package offered by the leasing companies and some private and nationalized banks for car financing.

A satisfactory cotton crop of 10.5 million bales and 18 million tons of wheat crop in 2001-2002 also helped in pushing up sales of cars in rural areas, he said.

Since the last few months, almost all the assemblers have raised their production to meet the surging demand of cars.

The production of Toyota Corolla rose to 789 units in July as compared to 500 units, while sales reached to 698 units from 479 units in July 2001.

A total of 575 units of Honda Civic were produced in July as compared to 385 units, while sales recorded at 589 units as against 363 units in the same month of 2001.

Suzuki Mehran 800cc production rose to 900 units from 600 units, while sales registered at 861 units as compared to 581 units. A total of 250 units of Alto 1000cc were rolled out in July as against 117, resulting in rising sales up to 233 units from 177 units. Suzuki Baleno production and sales increased to 150 units and 141 units, respectively, in July this year from 80 and 58 units in July 2001. Suzuki Cultus production and sales were registered at 469 and 418 units, respectively, in July as compared to 300 and 326 units.

Daihatsu Cuore production and sales peaked to 370 and 330 units, respectively, from 38 and 77 units in July 2001.

The PAMA figures revealed that Dewan Motors had not assembled any new Santro Plus during July this year, however, the statistics showed that 21 units were sold in July 2002, as compared to 213 units in previous year’s July. Kia Classic and Spectra production and sales also performed poorly with 85 and 66 units, respectively, in July 2002 as compared to 398 and 391 units in same month of last year.

The production and sales of Japanese assembled motorcycles also surged by 30 per cent and 42 per cent, respectively, in July 2002 as against last year. A total of 11,025 units of bikes (Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki) were produced as compared to 8,471 units, while sales surged to 12,187 units as against 8,557 units.

According to PAMA statistics, the production and sales of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) also jacked up by 21 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively. A total of 717 units were produced as compared to 591 units, while sales touched to 660 units from 570 units.

The truck sector also gave an impressive performance as production and sales moved up by 134 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively, in July this year as compared to July 2001. Total truck production and sales stood at 108 units 85 units, respectively, as compared to 46 and 44 units.

“These figures show that the economic indicators have remained positive in the last three to four months,” an assembler said.

Among the losers, tractor sector (Al Ghazi and Millat) did not perform well as production declined by eight per cent to 1,884 units in July from 2,055 units, but its sales jumped by 30 per cent in July 2002 to 1,681 units as compared to last year’s July of 1,269 units.

A three per cent fall was recorded in bus production in July to 91 units from 94 units, but its sales rose by a meagre two per cent to 77 units from 75 units.