KARACHI: As overall car sales remained depressed, a leading Japanese bike assembler hit a new production and sales record in January.

Car sales in July-Jan fell 3. 5 per cent to 104,156 units as compared to 107,907 in the same period last fiscal year, figures release by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) showed.

In 1,300cc and above category, Toyota Corolla sales dropped to 30,876 from 33,225 owing to launch of the new Honda Civic. The combined figures of Honda City and Civic climbed to 20,573 from 13,625 in July-Jan 2016-17.

Production of bikes, trucks and auto-rickshaws register growth

Suzuki Swift sales went up to 2,525 from 2,318 units. Suzuki Cultus 1,000cc sales fell to 8,469 units from 8,976 while Wagon R also performed well with sales of 9,167 from 5,165 units.

In 800cc and below, Suzuki Mehran sales plunged to 20,902 in the last seven months of current fiscal versus 22,292 units in same period last fiscal. However, Mehran recorded higher sales of 3,735 units in Jan 2017 against 2,773 units in Dec 2016.

After the end of Punjab Rozgar Scheme in 2016, Suzuki Bolan sales remained laggard at 11,643 in July-Jan 2016-17 as compared to 22,302 units in same period last fiscal. Bolan sales in Jan 2017 were 2,030 as compared to 1,690 in Dec 2016.

Atlas Honda Limited remained in the limelight from July 2016 onwards till Jan 2017 by achieving new production and sales records. The company started the New Year with a new production and sales record of 86,100 and 86,074 units in Jan 2017. The last highest production and sales record of Honda bikes was 84,400 and 84,137 units respectively in Dec 2016. Total Honda bike sales in July-Jan 2016-17 stood at 544,769 as compared to 466,055 in corresponding period last fiscal.

Sale of country’s number two assembler, United Auto Motorcycle, also increased to 189,988 in the last seven months from 151,764.

Total truck sales (Hino, Nissan, Isuzu and Master) surged to 4,039 from 2,701 units while bus sales (Hino, Master and Isuzu) stood at 669 from 545 in the previous fiscal.

A total of 331 units of Toyota Fortuner were sold in July-Jan 2016-17 as compared to 322 units in same period last fiscal, while Suzuki Ravi sales nosedived to 10,856 units from 22,135 due to conclusion of Punjab Rozgar Scheme. Toyota Hilux sales rose to 3,074 from 2,891.

Hashim Sohail of Top Line Securities said car sales including imports of 60,000 units may clock to 270,000 units in FY17.Tractor manufacturers reported buoyant sales due to better off-take during FY17 on the back of lower retail price (reduced GST).

Continuation of fertiliser subsidy would further support liquidity among farmers. Fiat tractor sales hit 9,243 units in the last seven months of FY17 from 5,004 units while Massey Ferguson sales soared to 16,600 units from 9,178 units.

The sale of two- and three-wheelers (auto-rickshaws) grew on the back of improved law and order situation.

DYL Motorcycle sales went up to 4,679 from 4,378 while Suzuki bike sales inched up to 10,344 from 10,209.

Sazgar three wheeler sales climbed to 12,519 from 8,870 units.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2017