April 2020 saw worst ever figures for local assembled vehicles as auto industry witnessed zero sales in a month due to COVID-19 lockdowns. And the situation for the month of May 2020 will be no different since auto assemblers are still observing plant shutdowns and there is no definite news on when the production operations will resume.
Since everything else is so depressing these days, let’s take a moment to look back at the glory days when auto sales used to soar. Below we have compiled the cumulative best in a fiscal year, the individual bestselling figure of local assembled cars in a fiscal year as well as those of older cars that were once assembled locally.
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The highest sales of local assembled passenger cars (800cc to 1800cc) were recorded in FY2017-18 when 216,786 units were sold according to the PAMA data. However the highest for pickup & 4×4 segment was recorded in FY2015-16 with 35,759 unit sales.
| Highest Sales | Recorded in | |
| Passenger Cars | 216,786 | FY2017-18 |
| 4x4s/ Pickups | 35,759 | FY2015-16 |
Data Source:PAMA
As for passenger cars, Toyota Corolla which stands as the unshaken bestselling local assembled car since 2009 saw its highest sales in FY2015-16 with 57,452 units sold. Honda Atlas since 2015 have stopped disclosing individual sales figures of Civic and City, however when individual stats were available, the Civic posted its highest sales in FY2004-05 with 12,352 units sold when 7th gen model was being assembled. Honda City on the other hand saw it’s highest in a fiscal year with 16,136 units sold in FY2005-06 when 4th gen model was in the production run.
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Suzuki Swift saw its highest sales in FY2011-12 with 7,040 units sold in a year. The WagonR recorded its highest in FY2018-19 with 32,614 units, the same year also saw Celerio (Cultus) witnessing its highest sales with 22,763 units.
Among 4x4s the Toyota Fortuner posted its bestselling figures of 4,186 units in FY2017-18, whereas the Hilux also saw its highest number of units leaving the showrooms in the same year with 7,470 units sold. For some unknown reasons PAMA classifies the BR-V among 4x4s which it simply isn’t, and it’s not a commercial vehicle either. Nevertheless Honda BR-V which is just a regular passenger car with 7-seats also saw its highest sales in FY2017-18 with 8,684 units sold.
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Pak Suzuki’s old papa Bolan witnessed its highest 30,154 units sales in FY2015-16 all thanks to the government’s Rozgar Scheme. Its sibling the Ravi pickup also recorded its highest in the same year with 29,825 units sold.
As for previously assembled vehicles Suzuki Mehran sold its highest number of 46,221 units in FY2017-18. The Liana sedan sold its highest 6,067 units in FY2006-07, then it took it almost 8 more years to sell another 6,000 units before getting discontinued. Suzuki Baleno saw its highest sales in FY2004-05 with 5,879 units. Kia Spectra’s story is similar to that of Liana since it recorded its highest sales in FY2001-02 with 2,287 units however the other 5 years of its cumulative sales were unable to reach this figure.
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Hyundai Santro’s highest was in FY2005-06 when it sold 7,031 units. The Suzuki Cultus MK-II posted its bestselling stats of 29,837 units in FY2006-07 whereas the 5th gen Alto also witnessed its highest sales of 21,988 units in the same year. Daihatsu Cuore also posted its highest in FY2006-07 when 12,776 units were sold.
Going further back into the history, Suzuki Khyber’s highest was 6,768 units that was achieved in FY1998-99 whereas the Margalla saw 6,028 units finding buyers in FY1995-96.
| Car | Highest Sales | Recorded in |
| Toyota Corolla | 57,452 | FY2015-16 |
| Toyota Fortuner | 4,186 | FY2017-18 |
| Toyota Hilux | 7,470 | FY2017-18 |
| Honda Civic | 12,352 | FY2004-05 |
| Honda City | 16,136 | FY2005-06 |
| Honda BR-V | 8,684 | FY2017-18 |
| Suzuki Swift | 7,040 | FY2011-12 |
| Suzuki WagonR | 32,614 | FY2018-19 |
| Suzuki Cultus (Celerio) | 27,763 | FY2018-19 |
| Suzuki Bolan | 30,154 | FY2015-16 |
| Suzuki Ravi | 29,825 | FY2015-16 |
| Previously Assembled Vehicles | ||
| Suzuki Mehran | 46,221 | FY2017-18 |
| Suzuki Cultus (2000-17) | 29,837 | FY2006-07 |
| Suzuki Alto (2000-12) | 21,988 | FY2006-07 |
| Suzuki Liana | 6,067 | FY2006-07 |
| Daihatsu Cuore | 12,776 | FY2006-07 |
| Suzuki Baleno | 5,879 | FY2004-05 |
| Hyundai Santro | 7,031 | FY2005-06 |
| Kia Spectra | 2,287 | FY2001-02 |
| Suzuki Khyber | 6,768 | FY1998-99 |
| Suzuki Margalla | 6,028 | FY1995-96 |
Data Source:PAMA
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
