Toyota may halt the production of Corolla XLi and GLi variants and replace them with Yaris sedans, following the dramatic fall of Pakistani Rupee against the US Dollar.
According to a private media outlet, a camouflaged test mule of Toyota Yaris was spotted recently on the M2 Motorway in Pakistan.
Industry experts believe that one reason why Toyota has opted for Yaris instead of the earlier-announced ‘Vios’ is because of the price difference between both cars; Vios is available in the international market for Rs28,00,000, whereas Yaris is much cheaper and will be launched at around Rs19,00,000.
A source privy to this development stated that the crisis faced by the automotive industry in Pakistan has affected the plans of all companies.
For Toyota, its Corolla manufacturer, Indus Motor Company, remained closed for a total of 12 days in the month of July.
“The steep increase in car prices after currency devaluation as well as the imposition of Advance Customs Duty (ACD) on all imports and Federal Excise Duty (FED) on assembled cars has left us no option but to cut down the plant production,” the IMC chief had said.
Experts believe that the existing market players may change their lineups mainly due to extreme competition in the market following the introduction of Kia, Proton and Hyundai.
All three Japanese car manufacturers in Pakistan has damaged Pakistani economy very badly over many decades. They were suppose to build factories in Pakistan and produce parts in local market but they didnt and start benefiting Japan directly by importing parts for car assembly in Pakistan. If parts were locally produce should there be any difference in price by changing dollar? It’s good for them. Still it’s less profit NOT loss.
I’m in agreement with your statement about the deletion program. Neither TMC, TTK, invested in the very basics of Road Safety by the UN Road Safety Commission for compliance. There’s no crash test bench, or simulator for crash test. Takata the company which was liquidated/bankrupt there was opportunity that TMC, TTK the main stake holders could have bought the company and brought it to Pakistan for the airbag, which was sold to Chinese at the cost of dust. The simple deletion was tyres, muffler, bumper, shell/body, paint, polish. The whole engine block was imported sealed and mounted on chasis of new car, Only of CKD assembly line the Reconditioning of cars transport was not done, to support the CKD. Otherwise Pakistan would have exported cars, worldwide with local value addition.
They are ruining Pakistan auto industry. They are just assembled cars in Pakistan even after more than 30 years of business. No manufacturing here. Govt should impose heavy duties for direct import of parts if they continue this practice.
Its not their fault, rather our leaders ( so called) are involved in selling the interests n benefits of Nation.
That’s real game !