KARACHI: Despite plant shutdowns and uncertain economic and political situation, the sales of cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), pickups and jeeps jumped 36 per cent to 17,288 units in July-August compared to 12,671 in the same period last year.

According to the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) data released on Tuesday, the sales of these vehicles remained flat, posting a meagre 1pc rise to 8,699 units in August compared to 8,589 in July. However, year-on-year (YoY), they rose by 15pc.

While keeping production activities suspended from July 15-22 and Aug 6-8 due to parts shortage, Indus Motor Company (IMC), the assembler of Toyota vehicles, sold 2,129 units in August, showing a jump of 28pc MoM and 38pc YoY.

IMC also recorded a 30pc rise in sales to 3,793 units during 2MFY25 from 2,916 in the same period last year.

However, the sales of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) plunged 18pc MoM and 14pc YoY to 3,653 units in August due to plant closure from Aug 1-23. However, sales rose 21pc to 8,123 units in 2MFY25 from 6,712 2MFY24.

During August, Honda Atlas Cars Ltd (HACL) sales clocked in at 1,148 units, up by 23pc MoM and 70pc YoY. HACL registered a whooping jump of 78pc in sales during July-August FY25 to 2,079 units from 1,168.

The sale of Sazgar Engineering Works, assembler of Haval vehicles, went up to 941 units, posting a jump of 14pc MoM and 216pc YoY, while 2MFY25 sales also swelled by 225pc to 1,408 units from 433 in the corresponding period FY24.

Hyundai Nishat Motors sales rose 13pc MoM to 661 units in August but contracted 15pc YoY. During 2MFY25, sales declined by 7pc to 1,248 units from 1,347 in the same period last year.

Despite high prices, the two-wheeler sales increased to 101,633 units in August from 82,597 in July. Sales during 2MFY25 also rose by 16pc to 184,230 from 158,925.

Rising demand for three-wheelers in public transport led to a jump of 9pc MoM and 43pc YoY to 2,601 units in August. Sales remained brisk during 2MFY25, posting a surge of 68pc to 4,997 from 2,981 units in 2MFY24.

Despite a drop of 1pc MoM to 249 units sold during August, truck sales showed an impressive rise of 87pc YoY, while July-August FY25 sales also shot up by 68pc to 500 units from 298 in the same period last fiscal year.

Bus sales of PAMA members fell by 9pc in August to 51 units MoM, while it showed a 50pc rise YoY. During July-August FY25, bus sales stood at 107 units, up by 67pc YoY.

Millat Tractors Ltd (MTL) assembled and sold 973 and 1,218 units in August despite suspended production from Aug 22 and resumed activities on Sept 4 amid a lack of a GST refund mechanism. MTL’s tractor production and sales during July-August FY25 stood lower at 1,952 and 1,823 units versus 3,851 and 4,068 units in the same period last year.

Al-Ghazi Tractors sold 2,307 units in 2MFY25 against 2,577 units in the same period last year.

Dewan’s EVs

Dewan Farooque Motors Ltd (DFML) has claimed to have started the production of electric vehicles (EVs) at its assembly plant under the toll manufacturing agreement with its associated company, Eco Green Motors Ltd (EGML).

In a stock filing on Tuesday, the company said the local assembly of EVs got underway after receiving approval from the Engineering Development Board (EDB) regarding the physical verification of the manufacturing facilities of EGML.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2024