Govt, auto sector to review vehicle prices in December

IMC chief says removal of federal excise and additional custom duties can help the industry reduce vehicle prices

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view the customers’ concerns regarding the rising prices of locally-assembled and manufactured vehicles, the government and auto sector may review the prices of vehicles in December before negotiating a new auto policy. 

Talking to a group of journalists in Islamabad, Indus Motor Company (IMC) Chief Executive Officer Ali Asghar Jamali said since the major impact on prices of vehicles was from taxes imposed by the government, any relief in taxes would ultimately result in a reduction of prices.

“We have submitted our proposals to the government for tax rationalization in the auto sector. Removal of federal excise and additional custom duties can help the industry reduce prices,” he said.

According to Jamali, the concerned ministries have agreed to review the taxes in December, when the government and auto industry would be renegotiating the Auto Policy 2016-21, which expires on June 30, 2021.

Replying to a query, Jamali said, “We have submitted various proposals to control black marketing or premium money on sales of new vehicles. However, since sales tax is subject to the provincial government’s approval, the consensus between the Centre and provinces has been an issue.” 

Sharing the impacts of market slowdown and closure of industry following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the entire auto sector had plunged into a deep crisis during the nationwide lockdown.

He added that all auto manufacturers incurred huge losses while not a single vehicle was produced by the three main original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in April.

“However, not a single employee was laid off and we even provided interest-free loans to our vendors; we stayed committed to our core value of promoting local engineering base in Pakistan,” he stated.

The IMC chief said that the momentum started picking up in July and due to overwhelming demand, the company went for double-shift production, which would help meet demand and reduce delivery lead time.

“IMC has been striving to meet the expectations of its customers and one of them is the offering earliest delivery to them. We are happy that double-shift production will fulfil our commitment to them,” he added.

It is to be noted that Toyota’s production was well in place at the start of this calendar year as total production was over 4,000 units in the month of January with a month-on-month (MoM) increase of around 90pc. However, owing to the lockdown, production came to a virtual halt until May 19; the situation got better in September with the production of over 4,300 units.

The IMC CEO requested the government to support the biggest manufacturing sector of Pakistan which employs 3 million direct and indirect labour and promote the ‘Made in Pakistan’ policy by encouraging industrialisation.

“The auto sector foresees a promising future and becoming the biggest contributor to the government’s macroeconomic goals, provided a predictable and long term auto policy is in place,” he concluded.

Ghulam Abbas
Ghulam Abbas
The writer is a member of the staff at the Islamabad Bureau. He can be reached at [email protected]

14 COMMENTS

  1. Good deal pakistan government Im also wating
    When low price car coming to pakistan becoz before yrs Toyota gli price in Pakistan 1800000
    Now costly incres 3800000
    Plz do some

  2. They are crooks, despite healthy market and profits they are not making key car parts in Pakistan i.e engine, pumps etc

  3. And what about assemblers contribution to provide lower priced cars to the public?. Why they are not reducing their profit margins even the demand now stands higher than pre Covid-19 days.

  4. Why Indus Toyota is not having any hatchback or small car if they really care about meeting customer expectations. Globally Toyota has various small cars like Vitz, passo, pixis, Mira, Raize etc. In reality the don’t want to cater to the consumer demands.

  5. Why prices are being increased by companies when demand is growing, pak rupee is strengthening against dollar and no changes in taxes by government.?

    • good decision ,if it will implemented by the gvt and a direct advantage to the public …May Allah satisfy their hunger🙏

  6. 7th generation city being sold in the whole world. Atlas is selling 5th generation to the public as a premium brand. There should be time limit after which globel model should be launched in Pakistan.

  7. Taxes should be removed after companies reduce their profit margins, ends own money, global models be launched, improve cars quality. Otherwise no actual benefit to end consumers. All will go to auto mafia deep pockets.

  8. Looks like an IMC paid news. No homework done about prices and profits….only IMC cheif is everywhere….and IMC is doing very well..

  9. Just write its a press release from the company. Stop pretending this had any homework done. When the taxes remained same the only reason prices were increased were due to PKR devaluation according to companies in their own analyst breifings.

  10. The used car market is getting out of control. In the past couple of years the car prices have increased… mostly expected. But the past few months have really shown an unprecedented, artificial inflation in both used and new cars that do NOT DESERVE the prices, and are not worth the value, they are being sold at!

  11. Make it possible for the common man to have a honourable living , improve transportation. Control vehicle prices , masses are just pissed off

  12. PRIXE BHRTI JA RHI
    KOI RUKNY WALA NHI
    ETNA PAISA KHA JA RHA HA
    ETNY KI GADI NHI JITNY MANG RHY HA
    EK MAHQSOS TABKA BS EARNING KR RHA HA

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