KARACHI, Dec 12: Consumers purchased over 10,000 more units of locally assembled cars in July-November 2011 as overall sales hit 62,353 units as compared to 52,200 units in the same period of 2010.

High prices, thin sales through car financing by banks, higher petroleum and gas prices and rising import of used cars under various schemes, etc., did not cause dent to car sales as prospective buyers’ sentiments were strong during the period under review.

In view of the rising demand, car assemblers are passing on the impact of falling value of the rupee against yen and dollar to the consumers in shape of price hike.

However, data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (Pama) revealed strong sales even in higher engine capacity cars despite their high prices.

Furqan Punjani of Top-Line Securities said that Punjab government’s yellow cab scheme also acted as a catalyst in this growth driven by higher sales of Mehran and Bolan.

He said due to year end phenomena as people opted to wait for next year’s model car -- sales in November 2011 remained flat at 10,598 units as compared to 13,690 units in October 2011, while sales in November 2010 were 10,259 units.

An official in Pak-Suzuki Motor Company Limited said that the company has provided 5,000 units of Mehran and Bolan to the Punjab government in the last three months out of a total order of 20,000 units.

The company is providing 1,000 Bolan and 1,500 Mehran per month.

Overall sale of cars (1300cc and above) rose to 27,647 units in July-November 2011 from 24,828 units in the same period of 2010.

Toyota sales stood at 17,867 units as compared to 17,149 units followed by Honda Civic and Honda City at 2,615 and 4,175 units as compared to 2,577 and 3,670 units.

A total of 2,802 units of Suzuki Swift were sold as compared to 1,270 units.

In 1,000cc segment, overall sales surged to 11,969 units as compared to 9,750 units in which Suzuki Cultus held major share with sales of 6,016 units as compared to 4,800 units followed by Suzuki Alto sales at 5,953 units as compared to 4,950 units.

In 800cc and below 1,000cc segment, total sales touched to 22,737 units as compared to 17,622 units.

Except for decline in Daihatsu Cuore sales to 1,723 units from 2,648 units, sales of Suzuki Mehran and Suzuki Bolan increased to 14,143 and 6,880 units as compared to 9,596 and 5,378 units.

A leading car assembler said that though five months picture of sales was quite impressive, the industry looked worried over November sales’ decline as well as current months’ sales figures as people had again shifted their focus towards used cars.

He said another reason of overall drop in car sales in November 2011 as compared to October 2011 was due to reducing farm income amid falling cotton prices.

He added that growers’ farm income plays a major role in overall car sales.