KARACHI: Sales of locally produced cars inched up by 1.85 per cent in July-April 2013-2014 as compared to same period last year despite increase in car prices.
A total of 97,232 units were sold as compared to 95,467 units due to improved sales of Honda Civic by 6pc followed by 19.6pc of City, 0.17pc of Toyota Corolla, 14.75pc of Suzuki Cultus and 9.3pc of Suzuki Bolan.
Sales of Suzuki Mehran remained depressed by 9pc, followed by 20pc in Swift and 11pc in Liana.
Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL) commenced production of Suzuki Wagon R with 414 units in April 2014 and sold 309 units in the same month. Suzuki Cultus sales improved to 12,521 units as compared to 10,912 units.
Sales figures released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) revealed 2.54pc jump in sales of 1,300cc and above cars.
A total of 7,956 units of Honda Civic were sold in the last 10 months of the current fiscal year as compared to 7,522 units in same period last fiscal followed by sale of 10,786 units of City as compared to 9,014 units. Toyota Corolla sales stood at 25,674 units while it was 25,630 units in July-April 2012-2013.
Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Liana sales remained flat at 4,120 and 131 units as compared to 5,149 and 147 units. Production of Suzuki Liana was recorded only in the months of October 2013 and December 2013 with 72 units each respectively from July to April 2013-2014.
In 800cc and below, Suzuki Mehran continued to struggle as its sales plunged to 24,202 units as against 26,578 units. Suzuki Bolan sales grew to 11,415 units in July-April 2013-2014 from 10,444 units in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Slowdown in sales of Corolla can be attributed to deferred sales as new model of Corolla is being launched this year. Used car and other vehicles imports continued to show negative trend thus benefiting sale of locally produced vehicles to some extent.
According to figures of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), overall imports of cars in which over 90pc are used cars fell by 44.5pc in July-March 2013-2014 to $145 million from $261m in corresponding period 2012-2013. The figures did not reveal numbers of completely built up (CBU) car units.