Pak Suzuki WagonR Going Down the Hill

WagonR was once among the best selling 1000cc car in Pak Suzuki’s lineup. However in recent times its sales have suffered quite badly.

The above table shows soaring sales figures of WagonR which improved every passing year. In fiscal year 2018-19 it recorded its highest-ever sales with 33,176 units sold. However the start of this fiscal year is dismal for Pak Suzuki’s tallboy hatchback.

The WagonR saw a production of only 2,772 in July this year, compared to which 3,245 units were produced in July 2018. As for sales 2,767 units were sold in July 2018, while only 843 were sold in July 2019.

Related: Production vs Sales of Local Assembled Cars in July 2019

The second month of the current fiscal year went even bad for the WagonR. While production got reduced to 1,256 units, it hardly managed to sell 645 units in August 2019. For the sake of comparison WagonR saw a handsome 2,450 units sold in August 2018. Then in September 2019, the WagonR again managed to sell just 680 units compared to 2,667 units sold in the same month a year earlier. As of the first quarter of this fiscal year, WagonR sales have already reduced -72% compared to the figures from previous year.

So what has gone wrong with the WagonR? Yes the industry is facing a slowdown due to the constantly rising prices and imposition of FED, but still its sibling the Cultus is doing reasonably well in sales.

Related: Will Alto 660cc Create Problems for Suzuki Wagon R?

As analyzed by us previously, the introduction of Alto 660cc has taken the major chunk of buyers away from WagonR. Its primarily because the Pak Suzuki WagonR is heavily underspec. The most expensive Wagon R VXL variant cost PKR 16.25 lac, however it has no airbags, no ABS, no power mirrors, only 2 power windows etc.

Compared to this the VXL variant of Alto 660cc that cost PKR 15.18 lac offers dual airbags, ABS, power mirrors, all 4 power windows and best of all comes nearly 110,000 cheaper than the Wagon R VXL. And while Wagon R is suffering from poor sales with just 2,168 units sold in the first 3 months of FY2019-20, the Alto 660cc has sold 12,943 units in the same period already.

Related: Pak Suzuki to Introduce WagonR Automatic

Pak Suzuki is currently in process of introducing the Wagon R AGS that will likely be launched within the next couple of months. However we believe it’s the short of equipment and a rather unusual shape that’s costing WagonR in numbers rather than an AGS transmission. Whether the introduction of WagonR automatic will help retain its sales, only time will tell.

UsmanAnsari

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