KARACHI: Despite a drop in sales in November for some segments, the auto sector recorded an overall positive trend during the first five months (July to November) of the current fiscal year.

The sales of trucks grew by 84.2 per cent year-on-year, followed by jeeps (82pc), light commercial vehicles (78.2pc), cars (62pc), farm tractors (19pc), and two- and three-wheelers (0.3pc) during the five-month period.

Motorcycle manufacturer Atlas Honda Limited recorded the highest-ever monthly sales by hitting 128,503 units in November, breaking its own record of 125,031 units sold in October. In July-November, the company’s sales climbed to 563,575 units compared to 512,010 a year ago.

According to data released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association, total car sales swelled to 90,303 units during the five-month period from 55,779 units a year ago despite a mild drop in sales in November to 15,351 units from 17,413 in October.

The highest jump of 134pc was recorded in Suzuki Cultus sales, which stood at 13,105 units in July-November compared to 5,596 last year. On the number two spot was Suzuki WagonR, whose sales rose 93pc to 8,768 from 4,539 units.

Toyota Corolla emerged as the third best-selling sedan with a jump of 92pc in sales to 12,723 from 6,632 units. Toyota Yaris production dropped 8pc to 10,388 and sales fell 1pc to 11,252. The combined sales of Civic and City rose 27pc to 13,215 from 10,429 units in the year-ago period.

Suzuki Alto and Bolan sales jumped 75pc and 74pc to 23,193 and 5,201 units. Hyundai Elantra and Sonata sales stood at 1,280 and 1,071 units during the period.

Umair Naseer of Topline Securities attributed a drop in November sales to rising financing rates, stringent financing requirements by the central bank, and the year-end phenomenon when car sales tend to slow down in general.

Another factor is increasing competition from new players like KIA Motors, MG Motors and Changan, he added.

Jeep and tractor sales

During July-November, total jeep sales surged to 5,947 units from 3,270 units a year ago, including a whopping 227pc jump in Toyota Fortuner’s sales to 3,197 from 978 units. Hyundai Tucson and Honda BR-V sales grew by 33pc and 10pc to 1,091 and 1,625 units from 819 and 1,473 units.

In pickups, Suzuki Ravi and Hilux sales went up by 113pc and 50pc to 6,438 and 4,686 units from 3,029 and 3,132 units.

JAC, D-Max and Hyundai Porter sales also rose by 62pc, 61pc and 55pc to 393, 195 and 673 units from 242, 121 and 434 units. Total truck sales stood at 2,503 units compared to 1,359 units a year ago, in which Hino, Master, Isuzu and JAC sales accounted for 362, 856, 1,194 and 91 units versus 256, 353, 678 and 72 units, registering a year-on-year increase of 41pc, 142pc, 76pc and 26pc, respectively.

Bus sales remained a bit flat with 224 units compared to 246 units. Hino, Master and Isuzu bus sales were 66, 127 and 31 units as compared to 87, 104 and 55 units.

As for tractors, Fiat and Massey Ferguson sales increased by 38pc and 11pc to 8,049 and 13,954 units compared to 5,853 and 12,563 units a year earlier.

In two- and three-wheelers segment, Japanese assembled Suzuki and Yamaha bike sales rose to 14,915 and 9,962 units from 8,719 and 8,733 units, up by 71pc and 14pc, respectively. Among assemblers of Chinese bikes, Road Prince and United Auto Motorcycle sales fell 23pc and 20pc to 52,289 and 136,812 units.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2021