We all know the 660cc Alto has been the most successful car in the modern era, not only for Pak Suzuki but the country’s automobile market as a whole. Ever since it was introduced back in mid-2019, the Suzuki Alto which is the 8th generation model & Pakistan’s first locally assembled 660c kei car has shattered several sales records.
However, in the last couple of years, the local auto industry has encountered a drastic slowdown mainly due to economic & political instability, inconsistent govt policies, supply chain issues due to import restrictions resulting in consistent plant shutdowns, steeply increasing car prices due to depreciating currency value, and an outrageously expensive car financing route. As the entire auto industry suffers a dreadful decline in sales, so does the Suzuki Alto.
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Still, even with a drastic slowdown & massive increase in prices, the Alto enjoys the status of the country’s highest-selling passenger car. However, while the sales are down, the ongoing slowdown has enabled Alto to enhance its share in terms of percentage in Suzuki’s local product portfolio. When launched in 2019, Alto’s share among locally assembled Suzuki cars was around 45-50%, but today it has ballooned to reach almost 70% as the share of the rest of Suzuki’s models continues to shrink.
This simply means that 70 out of every 100 cars Pak Suzuki sells in Pakistan are Alto. The remaining 30% include Suzuki Swift, Cultus, Wagon R, Ravi as well as Bolan. So far during the first 8 months of this fiscal year, 19,761 units of Alto have been sold. Though this is 30% less than the 28,202 units sold during the same period of the previous fiscal year, it is by far greater than sales of any other model in the country.
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With no true rival in the market, Suzuki Alto’s presence in the sub-1000cc segment remains literally unchallenged. However, with economic pressure forcing 1,000cc & entry-level sedan buyers to opt for the Alto, owing to its fuel efficiency and comparatively less expensive price tag, Alto sales are only likely to increase in the near future, despite the industry’s downfall.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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