LAHORE: Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday that it will observe non-production days (NPD) from September 8 to September 9.
However, the company stated that its motorcycle plant will not observe NPDs and will continue with routine operations. PSMC has cited the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) administrative mandate over the import of completely-knocked-down (CKD) kits as the main reason for the npds.
This is PSMC’s fourth halt in production in the past 30 days. It has previously halted productions from 18th-19th August, 22nd-26th August, and 29th-31st August. This decision comes in the same week as Toyota Indus Motor Company’s and Millat Tractors’ announcement that they will halt production till the 16th of September.
The government needs to push auto manufactures such as Pak Suzuki, Indus Motors, Millat, Atlas Honda, etc to explore export markets for sale of 02 wheeler, 04 wheeler and tractors. If the local quality cannot compete with international players in African countries than we as well look to import vehicles instead of assembling them locally. Why waste precious US$ in the illusion that we have a manufacturing base when this is actually only assembly of low quality vehicles imported mainly from Japan.