KARACHI, May 13: Excluding a jump in the sales of jeeps, SUV’s and tractors, other segments of the auto sector suffered sales drop in July-April 2012-2013 as compared to same period last fiscal.

Barring Honda cars, it seems that consumers did not show much enthusiasm in buying locally assembled cars, causing drop in auto sales by 24 per cent to 95,467 units in July-April 2012-2013 from 126,061 units in same period last fiscal.

According to data released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), sale of Honda Civic and City rose to 7,522 and 9,014 units from 4,344 and 4,407 units while Toyota Corolla sales plunged to 25,630 units from 37,245 units. Suzuki Liana sales also fell to 5,149 units from 5,909 units.

In 1,000cc category, a total of 10,912 units of Suzuki Cultus were sold as compared to 11,309 units, while in 800cc and below 1,000cc, Suzuki Mehran and Suzuki Bolan sales declined to 26,578 and 10,444 units as compared to 28,849 and 17,284 units.The termination of non-Euro II models like Daihatsu Cuore and Suzuki Alto coupled with completion of taxi scheme by Punjab government last year had hit the PAMA sales and production figures.

However, the used car markets still had unsold stocks of five year old cars whose impact was being felt by the industry. However, it seems that the influx of used cars has yet to make any negative impact on the assembler of Honda cars which continued to show brisk sales.

In heavy vehicles, total bus sales plunged to 441 units from 462 units due to drop in sales of market leader (Hino) to 359 units from 416 units. However, Isuzu bus sales improved to 78 units from 38 units.

In trucks, total sales stood at 1,501 units as compared to 1,923 units as the leading bus maker sales (Hino) also suffered fall to 671 units from 1,023 units. Sale of Nissan trucks recovered to 190 units from 177 units followed by sale of 218 units of Isuzu as compared to 165 units. Master truck sales fell to 422 as compared to 558.

In jeeps, sale of Toyota Fortuner (SUV), which was launched ahead of elections, further improved to 240 units in April 2013 from 228 in March 2013 and three units in February 2013. Sigma defender jeep sales slightly decreased to 325 from 329 units.In pick ups, Toyota Hilux sales picked up to 3,590 in July-April 2012-2013 from 3,317 units. Ravi pick up sales stood at 8,459 units as compared to 13,611 units.

In tractor, total sales (Fiat and Massey Ferguson) climbed to 39,955 units in the last 10 months from 34,464 units.

Out of three main bike makers, only Honda sales rose to 530,241 units as compared to 485,532 units while sale of DYL motorcycles and Suzuki dropped to 50,238 and 15,562 units from 73,251 and 18,078 units. Total bike and three wheeler sales plunged to 685,856 units from 688,764 units.

The auto assemblers hope sales recovery in coming months in view of long-term business-friendly policy to be announced by the PML-N government in upcoming budget. They also anticipate aggressive buying by prospective customers who had delayed their purchasing plans till holding of peaceful general elections.