LAHORE: The Pakistan Auto Show 2018 concluded at the Expo Centre in Lahore. The three-day grand event, organised by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) from 2nd to the3rd and 4th of March 2018, attracted large crowds of more than three hundred thousand visitors and professionals, seeking technological insights and valuable knowledge on the advancement of engineering in the industry. It featured a vast range of products and process displays from than 200 international & local auto-manufacturers and a multitude of enterprises operating in the relevant sectors. This pioneering exhibition showcases the robust growth and vast potential of Pakistan’s Automobile industry, reflecting the nation’s pursuit to become a future hub for auto manufacturing.
The Auto Show also featured numerous insightful seminars and training workshops, conducted by very learned speakers and experts, who disseminated high-valued information. These sessions were greatly appreciated by the industry professionals. A spectacular closing ceremony was orchestrated to conclude the show with great fanfare, where the leading personalities of the Automobile industry, the engineering communities and the regulatory authorities were present along with senior government officials, prominent social personalities and showbiz stars.
The Chairman of PAAPAM, Iftikhar Ahmad commented, “Looking at the resounding success of this year’s event, we are looking forward to next year’s Auto Show on a much larger scale. I would like to thank the stakeholders of this industry for making this show the ‘Biggest annual Automotive Event of the nation’. The industry leaders have urged the government to devise an effective Auto Policy in consultation with the experts because this critical policy has been long awaited to enable the faster progress of our industry. PAAPAM is fully committed to playing a key role as the binding force for the Auto industry. Since its incorporation in the year 1999, PAAPAM has successfully grown to 319 registered members.”
There are almost 3000 Auto Parts-Manufacturers operating all over Pakistan, whereby this industry has created almost 3 million jobs and opportunities for respectable income, engaging 500,000 skilled workers as Direct Employees and 2.4 million indirect employees. It has generated a robust Investment volume of Rs370 billion and contributes revenues of Rs110 billion per year to the national exchequer. It has also achieved an Import substitution worth $3.3 billion per annum and an Exports volume of $210 million per annum. Pakistan is already the cheapest source in the world, for producing tractors.
The Chief Organiser of Pakistan Auto Show 2018, Syed Nabeel Hashmi said that: “Pakistan Auto Show has once again proved that; it is the most resourceful, high-profile event, playing a pivotal role in nurturing innovation, knowledge-exchange and collaborative ventures in the automotive industry. Revolutionary ideas and technological concepts are shared at this vibrant platform by the world’s foremost technology companies. Global Automobile Brands and experts enrich the deliberations, along with spare-parts manufacturers, component suppliers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM vendors), automobile traders, investors, buyers and enthusiasts, who want to expand their business networks and knowledge-base.”
The SVC of PAAPAM Ashraf Sheikh stated, “As the demand for automobiles is expected to rise continuously over the next 3-5 years, the big challenge for Pakistan is to nurture local assemblers & vendors and ensure rapid investments in capacity-building, to meet the sharply rising demand. This industry has already achieved a high level of localisation, whereby it boasts: 75 per cent localisation in Cars & HCVs, 96 per cent in Tractors, 96 per cent in Motorcycles and 80 per cent in Three Wheelers. Its products are being exported to; the European Union, USA, African Countries and all over Asia. The annual production in 2017 (six months) had reached; 107,787 cars, 941,000 motorcycles and 3-Wheelers, 4,514 Trucks, 409 Buses, 32,641 Tractors. We are delighted to see that the 2018 event received an overwhelming response from industry stakeholders, international large-scale buyers and diverse consumer segments, as the exhibition featured a wide range of products including; cars, tractors, trucks, buses, 4X4, Motorcycles, three wheelers and exotic cars. The presence of Globally leading companies like; Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Total Parco, JW FORLAND and many more have thoroughly enriched the proceedings of the exhibition.”
The event also attracts precision-engineering experts, Raw Material suppliers, used-car dealers, service, repairs, body-work professionals, Automobile Financing companies and other Service Providers. The industry experts held extensive deliberations to overcome the challenges and devise collective growth strategies. Several prestigious universities presented their innovations and insightful academic projects during the event. It promoted a wide array of advanced technologies and solutions, including; Engines, Casting, Forging, Sheet Metals, Jigs & Fixtures, along with electronics, car-paints, tools, tires, batteries, plastic parts, Rubber parts and accessories. During the event, the visitors could also acquire valuable information on Car-financing, Auto-insurance, Service-Centers, etc.
