KARACHI: Passenger car sales (PAMA members) in the country increased by 11 per cent year-on-year in February 2025 compared with February 2024 while 8MFY24 sales rose by 45 per cent, data showed on Tuesday.

According to data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), passenger car sales increased by 11 per cent in February 2025 to 8,869 units against 7,955 units in February 2024. In the first eight months of FY25, a total of 67,135 units were sold, up 45 per cent against 46,419 units sold during the same period in FY24. February 2025 sales decreased by 25 per cent month-on-month compared with 11,868 units sold in January 2025.

Auto expert and former chairperson of the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Mashood Ali Khan said that save a few models of cars, there is an upward trend in the car industry. The situation would likely stay positive until June, but afterwards, it would depend on the budget, which would be highly influenced by the IMF. It would be seen what policy would be for luxury items, including cars and mobile phones.

He said that tractors were performing well before the budget last year, but it was affected by the budget, which has continued and is still down 30 per cent. “In the category of SUV, China is dominating. How would Pakistan focus on industrialisation and local manufacturing in the budget? Pakistan must revive its manufacturing industry,” he said.

The motorcycle industry and the car industry have a huge gap, as the lower middle class and the middle class are focused on bikes because of affordability issues. During February 2025, sales of 1300cc and above cars were recorded at 4,700 units, up 19 per cent compared with the same month of the previous year’s sales of 3,943 units.

In February 2025, 1,000cc cars recorded sales of 489 units, (282 units of Suzuki Cultus and 207 units of Suzuki WagonR) against 456 units in the same month last year. Below 1,000cc vehicles recorded sales of 3,680 units, slightly higher than 3,556 units of last year. These numbers also include 110 units of Suzuki Every that started sales in October 2024.

Besides, Dewan’s Honri-Ve, an electrical vehicle, recorded sales of 13 units in February. The sales of jeeps and pick-ups increased to 3,202 units from 1,756 units sold during the same period last year.

Buses and trucks saw an increase to 486 units in February 2025 from 352 units in the same month last year. Sales of tractors plunged to 1,534 units from 3,577 units in February 2024. The sale of rickshaws and motorbikes increased to 126,699 units in February 2025 against 93,770 units in the same period last year.