KARACHI: Japanese and Chinese bike assemblers have again increased prices citing falling rupee against the dollar, which has pushed up cost of imported parts.

Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) has notified second price hike in various models effective from May 1, while the maker of Yamaha has raised the price first time this year.

The new prices of Suzuki SD110 ECO, GD110S, GS150 and GS150SE are Rs114,900, Rs139,500, Rs147,000 and Rs167,000 as compared to Rs111,400, Rs136,000, Rs143,500 and Rs163,500. The company had also raised the price in February.

Like past practice the Japanese assembler did not mention reasons for the price hike in its letter to authorised dealers.

PSMCL sold 15,971 units in July-March 2017-18 as compared to 13,599 units in the same period last year.

Yamaha Motor Pakistan pushed up the price of YB125Z, YBR125G and YBR125 to Rs117,900, Rs137,900 and Rs133,900 from Rs115,900, Rs134,500 and Rs130,500 effective from May 14. Yamaha sales in July-March 2017-18 climbed to 15,083 units as against 8,648 in same period last year.

Atlas Honda Ltd (AHL) had already increased the prices twice – first in January by Rs500-1,000 and secondly in April by Rs500-3,000.

The AHL board of directors has approved a two-year phase-wise expansion plan to increase the installed capacity up to 1.5 million units per annum. The project cost is estimated at $15m. The company sold 838,395 units in July-March 2017-18 versus 711,395 units in corresponding of period last year.

In Chinese category, Razi Motors, maker of Hi Speed bike, notified the price jump of Rs1,000 effective from May 5.

Pak Star Automotive Ltd has raised price of Tez Raftar Auto Rickshaw/loader and 150cc bike cargo load by Rs4,000 from May 10.

Ohad Motor also increased Metro 150cc loader price by Rs4,000.

Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers Chairman Mohammad Sabir Sheikh said bike prices would remain under pressure if the rupee continues to lose its value against the greenback.

The rupee has weakened by over nine per cent against the US dollar in the last four months

He said rising bike prices may not affect sales as lack of public transport system and rising petrol prices force the consumers to purchase two-wheelers for commuting.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2018