KARACHI: Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) increased car prices by Rs29,­000-Rs­150,000 on Wednesday after the government incre­ased taxes and duties in the mini-budget.

Alto VX, VXR and VXL prices have been increased to Rs1.306 million, Rs1.546m and Rs1.747m, respectively. Earlier, their prices were Rs1.274m, Rs1.508m and Rs 1.704m in that order.

The new prices of WagonR VXR, VXL and AGS models are Rs1.877m, Rs1.975m and Rs2.158m, respectively, versus the old rates of Rs1.76m, Rs1.76m and Rs2.024m.

Cultus VXR, VXL and AGS models now carry the price tags of Rs2.03m, Rs2.224m and Rs2.422m compared with the earlier rates of Rs1.904m, Rs2.105m and Rs2.272m, respectively.

The price of Bolan VX has been increased to Rs1.178m from Rs1.149mn.

PSMCL Head of Public Relations Shafiq Ahmed Shaikh said the government raised taxes and duties on almost all variants. All orders will be booked with 20 per cent advance payment on the revised retail prices.

With reference to the orders placed right up to the date of the mini budget’s approval, the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association has requested the authorities concerned for exemption. The government’s reply in this regard is awaited.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2022