LAHORE: As the Pakistan Auto Show 2018 entered its 2nd Day, large crowds continued to gather and seek valuable information and knowledge. The grand event being held at the Expo Centre in Lahore is running continuously from the 2ndto the 3rd and4thof March 2018. Organised by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), it features more than 200 international and local Auto-manufacturers and related enterprises and showcases the vast potential of Pakistan’s robust automotive industry. It also features numerous insightful training sessions where industry experts are providing technology updates and authentic knowledge to thousands of professionals and visitors thronging the exhibition.
Pakistan Auto Show 2018 Chief Organiser Syed Nabeel Hashmi appreciated the overwhelming response of the stakeholders and stated that the PSDC seminars and workshops being held during the auto show are a great attraction for industry professionals. Conducted by very learned speakers these sessions will disseminate high-valued information. The session topics include: “Toyota Production System, Integrated System of Management, Lean 5S, Global Best Practices in the automotive industry of Pakistan, Challenges faced by road transport, their impact on efficiencies on different entities, quality of air for automotive paint shop, electric vehicles- future electromobility: challenges and prospects, test rigs and automated inspection, road safety aims at vehicles safety.
Ghani, 43, a motor enthusiast told Pakistan Today, “The show is brilliant, seeing all of these exhibitors shows that the Pakistani auto industry is booming and there are quite a few new manufacturers and retailers as well.” He further added saying, “I am really excited about the Chinese superbikes, they are cheap and offer the same excitement at a 4th of the price, which is really good for the average consumer who cannot afford a Rs1.5 million bike from leading manufacturers.”
PAAPAM Chairman Iftikhar Ahmad commented, “PAAPAM is 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. The estimated number of parts-manufacturers in pakistan includes: 770 units in tier one, 900 units in tier two and 1400 units in tier three.
This industry comprises of 500,000 skilled workers as direct employees and 2.4 million indirect employees, a grand total of 2.9 million. With an investments volume of Rs370 billion, this industry contributes revenue of Rs110 billion per annum to the national exchequer. It has achieved an import substitution worth $3.3 billion per annum and an exports volume of $210 million per annum.”
PAAPAM Senior Vice Chairman Ashraf Sheikh stated that, “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 and vendors and rapidly generate investments in capacity building to meet the sharply rising demand. The base of engineering technologies in this industry is spread across; sheet metal parts, plastic injection and blow molding, rubber components, steel forging and machining, foundry and castings, aluminum die casting and machining and electrical and electronics, so we need to work on multiple fronts to achieve our growth objectives, while consistently maintaining the quality of our products.”
PAAPAM former chairman Mohammed Saleem said “This industry has already achieved a high level of localisation, whereby it boasts: 75 per cent localisation in cars and 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. Production for July 2017 – Dec 2017 figures reached; 107,000 cars, 941,000 motorcycles and three wheelers, 4514 Trucks, 409 Busses and32,614 tractor vehicles.”
