KARACHI: Sale of locally assembled cars remained firm in the last seven months amid restriction on non-filers to buy vehicles from July-January, multiple price hikes on account of rupee devaluation and increase in interest rates.

Total car sales inched up to 123,391 units in 7MFY19, from 123,356 in same period last fiscal year. On the other hand, January sales showed healthy growth as they increased to 19,353 units from 16,141 units in December 2018, according to figures released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (Pama).

The trend in 1,000-1,300cc vehicles was brisk as against a fall in below 1,000cc. Sales of Honda Civic/City increased to 25,810 from 23,509; Suzuki Swift 2,880 versus 2,653; and Toyota Corolla 33,303 as against 29,568 in 7MFY18. A total of 9,750 units of these vehicles were sold last January compared to 6,523 units in December 2018.

Suzuki Cultus and WagonR sales climbed to 12,942 and 19,181 units, from 11,547 and 16,844 units in 7MFY19. Their cumulative sales improved to 5,285 units in January versus 4,722 in December 2018.

Suzuki Mehran, whose production would end in April this year, suffered heavy fall to 19,535 units in 7MFY19, from 26,543 in same period last year. Bolan sales also fell to 9,740 from 12,692 units.

Truck sales, dubbed as the barometer of trade and economy, declined to 3,762 units during the seven-month period from 5,136 units.

Bus sales surged to 611, from 364 units in 7MFY18 with Hino­pak’s share at 292 units versus 165 in same period last year. Among light commercial vehicles, vans and jeeps, Toyota Fortuner sales decreased to 1,511 units from 2,103; Honda BR-V 2,986 as against 5,659; and Suzuki Ravi 10,625 units versus 12,738 in 7MFY18. On the other hand, Toyota Hilux sales soared to 4,066 from 3,844 units.

In farm machinery, sales of Fiat and Massey Ferguson tractors came down significantly to 9,647 and 18,060 in 7MFY19 from 14,776 and 23,263 units.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2019