Automobile Industry updated 27 Jan 2010! Compiled by: Mirza Rohail B Pakistan is an emerging market for automobiles and automotive parts offers immense business and investment opportunities. The total contribution of Auto industry to GDP in 2007 is 2.8% which is likely to increase up to 5.6% in the next 5 years. Total gross sales of automobiles in Pakistan were Rs.214 billion in 2006-07 or $2.67 billion. The industry paid Rs.63 billion cumulative taxes in 2007-08 that the government has levied on automobiles.There are 500 auto-parts manufacturers in the country that supply parts to original equipment manufacturers (PAMA members). Auto sector presently, contributes 16% to the manufacturing sector which also is expected to increase 25% in the next 7 years, as compared to 6.7 percent during 2001-02.Vehicles’ manufacturers directly employ over 192,000 people with a total investment of over $ 1.5 billion. Currently, there are around 82 vehicles’ assemblers in the industry producing passengers cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, tractors and 2/3 wheelers. The auto policy is geared up to make an investment of $ 4.09 billion in the next five years thus, making a target of half a million cars per annum achievable. Government of Pakistan had undertaken two major initiatives in the form of National Trade Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP) and Auto Industry Development Program (AIDP) for the development of the automotive industry in Pakistan. Engineering Development Board (EDB) is actively implementing the AIDP to increase the GDP contribution of the automotive sector to 5.6%, boost car production capacity to half a million units as well as attract an investment of US$ 3 billion and reach an auto export target of US$ 650 million. Automotive engineering is a driving force of large scale manufacturing, contributing US$ 3.6 billion to the national economy and engaging over 192,000 people in direct employment. The Auto parts manufacturing is $ 0.96 billion per annum. The demand for auto parts is highest in the motor cycle industry which is 60%, then is for cars which constitutes to 22% and the rest 18% is consumed by trucks, buses & tractors. This demand is met by Imports which caters 22% while the remaining 78% is supplied by the local manufacturers. Due to the increase in demand for sophisticated machinery, the government has allowed duty free import of raw Honda Civic material, sub components, components assemblies for manufacturers & assemblers. Total import bill of machinery stands at $2.195 billion in the current fiscal year of 2007-08 which is 12.77% higher than that of the preceding year. The impressive growth in the machine tools and automation sector is directly proportional to the growth of the automotive industry which has become the fastest growing industry of Pakistan and contributes $3.6 billion annually to the country’s GDP. The aftermarket for spares has also witnessed immense expansion over the same period, with imported parts playing an important role in meeting local demand. The spare parts market is given further impetus by a total vehicle population of approximately 5.4 million Pakistan has the second highest number of CNG-powered vehicles in the world with more than 1.55 million cars and passenger buses, constituting 24% of total vehicles in Pakistan with improved fuel efficiency and conforming to the latest environment regulations. According to Government Board of Investment, Automotive No of Number 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2007-08 Industry Units Cars 5 164,000 40,601 62,893 99,263 126,817 160,642 176,016 164,710 84,308 Jeeps 2 - - - - - - 3,298 1,590 932 Light Vehicles 4 32,500 8,491 12,174 14,089 23,613 29,581 19,672 21,354 Trucks 5 17,500 1,141 1,954 2,022 3,204 4,518 4,410 4,993 3,135 Buses 5 3,900 1099 1,340 1,380 1,762 825 993 1,146 662 Tractors 3 50,000 24,331 26,501 36,103 43,746 49,439 54,610 53,607 59,968 Motor Cycles 55 733,000 133,334 176,591 327,446 571,145 744,875 839,224 1,057,751493,592 VISION 2012: The Future of Pakistan Auto Industry Product 2007-8 VISION 2012 Cars (nos.) 164,710 500,000 2 wheelers 1.06 million 1.7 million Investment (Billion) 98 225 Contribution to GDP (%) 2.8 5.6 Contribution to manufacturing sector 16 25 (%) Direct Employment 192,000 500,000 Gross sales turn over (Billion) 214 600 Decline in Sales and Revenue Unfortunately, the recent downward trend in auto sales (cars + LCVs) continued as auto sales stood at 27,034 units for July-September 2008, showing a decline of 44 percent year-on-year, the data released by Pakistan Automobiles Manufacturers Association (PAMA) shows. (Link) Automobile grew from 2001-2007, the industry and the government of Pakistan fixed a target of over half million units’ production by the year 2011-12 that now seems out of reach. The industry slightly fell short to achieve the targeted productions in 2006-07 when 1,95,688 cars were manufactured against a target of 2,26,620 units. However, there was some growth in production that year. In 2007-08 the production declined to 1,87,634 units against a projected target of 2,66,543 units. In the current fiscal year they said the production is expected to decline to 1,50,107 units that are half the projected target of 3,13,486 units. Despite an additional levy of 5 per cent excise duty, the revenues from automobile sector would decline by over 25 per cent this year due to declining demand. The industry paid Rs.63 billion cumulative taxes that the government has levied on automobiles. This year, despite additional duty the sector would hardly contribute Rs50 billion in the national exchequer. Automobile Manufacturers and Vendors concerns Automobile manufacturers and auto-parts’ vendors have warned the government that despite an additional levy of 5 Chevrolet Assembly Port Qasim per cent excise duty, the revenues from automobile sector would decline by over 25 per cent this year due to declining demand. The Pakistan Association of Auto Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) and Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) in a joint presentation have suggested various steps that should be taken by the government to arrest the slowdown in sales. The two associations appealed to the government to withdraw the 5 per cent excise duty on cars and impose a ban on import of used parts instead of allowing their import after imposing 30 per cent redemption duty. They asked the government to place stringent checks on auto-parts imported commercially or as semi knock out kits. They proposed the introduction of non-tariff measures to curb the import of parts that are being manufactured in Pakistan. They pointed out that the 50 per cent duty has failed to stop the import of these parts as the import prices are easily manipulated by the importers. Moreover, import under SRO 63 attracting 50 per cent duty should not be allowed under FBR’s CARE system. They have also appealed for special incentives for the auto sector including lower mark-up on loans and a waiver of 35 per cent L/C margin. The two associations pointed out that investment in the automobile sector has frozen at Rs98 billion and is expected to remain at the same level by 2011-12. Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Ltd Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited is a joint venture between Honda Motor Company Limited Japan, and the Atlas Group of Companies, Pakistan. The company was incorporated on November 1992 and joint venture agreement was signed on August 1993. The ground breaking ceremony was held on April 17, 1993 and within a record time of 11 months, construction and erection of machinery was completed. The first car rolled off the assembly line on May 26, 1994. Official inauguration was done by President of Pakistan, Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari. Mr Kawamoto, President of Honda Motor Company Limited Japan was also present to grace the occasion. The company is listed on Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Stock Exchanges. In July 1994, car bookings started at six dealerships in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Since then the Dealerships Network has expanded and now the company has sixteen 3S (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) and thirty 2S (Service and Spare Parts) Pitstops network in all major cities of Pakistan. Since the commencement of production in 1994, the company has produced and sold more than 150,000 cars till Oct, 2008. All dealerships are constructed in accordance with the standards defined by Honda World over. Indus Motor Company Indus Motor Company (IMC) is a joint venture between the House of Habib, Toyota Motor Corporation Japan (TMC), Daihatsu Motor Company Ltd vehicles in Pakistan through its dealership network. The company was incorporated in Pakistan as a public limited company in December 1989 and started commercial production in May 1993. The shares of company are quoted on the stock exchanges of Pakistan. Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation have 25 % stake in the company equity. IMC’s production facilities are located at Port Bin Qasim Industrial Zone near Karachi in an area measuring over 105 acres. Indus Motor company’s plant is the only manufacturing site in the world where both Toyota and Daihatsu brands are being manufactured. IMC’s Product line includes 6 variants of the newly introduced Toyota Corolla, Toyota Hilux Single Cabin 4×2 and 4 versions of Daihatsu Cuore.