Winners and Losers of Q1, 2024

Pakistan’s automobile market works in a bizarre manner. With sales declining in recent years to alarmingly low levels, automakers are consolidating the sales figures of their models to present a “healthier” number. Aside from sharing the same emblem, these models may have little or no connection with one another.

Every month, the Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) publishes sales statistics for its member companies. It’s another debate as nearly 35% of local automakers are not a member of PAMA so their sales data isn’t released by the association.

Interestingly, Honda presents the combined number of City and Civic instead of presenting them individually, though before 2014, they presented the data normally. Recently they also started presenting numbers of HR-V and BR-V together. Similarly, Toyota also started presenting the combined number of Corolla and Yaris in the last couple of years, but recently after the introduction of the Corolla Cross, its numbers have also been added to the Corolla sedan and Yaris.

Likewise, Toyota also presents the combined number of Hilux and Fortuner, while Sazgar also presents the combined numbers of Haval H6 and Jolion. Better still, based on the available data, we can determine which models are performing well in the market and which ones are not. The sales figures pertain to the first quarter of the fiscal year FY24-25, covering the period from July to September 2024.

In the 1300cc and above segment, the competition between Toyota and Honda is nearly even. Toyota’s three models — Corolla, Corolla Cross, and Yaris — totaled 4,554 units in sales, hypothetically averaging 1,518 units per model in Q1 FY24-25. Honda, on the other hand, recorded 3,006 units during the first three months of this fiscal year across its two models, Civic and City, hypothetically averaging 1,503 units per model.

But the clear winner in this segment is Suzuki Swift which alone sold 1,669 units during this period, as far as the individual sales are concerned. The 1,000cc and above, as well as the below 1,000cc segments, are exclusively dominated by Suzuki models, having no competition whatsoever.

Moving on to the 4x4s & SUVs segment, which is hilariously called Jeeps & Pickups in PAMA charts, the clear winner is Sazgar Haval with no one even close to it. Haval has 2,597 units under its belt, with two models H6 and Jolion, rendering 1,298 units each. Then comes the Toyota Hilux & Fortuner combined with 1,606 units, hypothetically averaging 803 units each. Haval sales are astronomical 61% more than the more established Toyota in this segment.

Now let’s talk about the worst performers. While Sazgar with its Haval venture tops the charts in its segment, it also secures the very bottom of the charts with its BAIC venture. The BJ40 Plus SUV has only 8 units under its belt between July and September 2024, the average monthly sales being a miserable less than 3 units. Bear in mind the company sold 23 units of BJ40 in the same period of the previous year so sales have taken a very sharp dip.

The next among the losers in Isuzu D-Max with just 28 units sold in the first three months of this fiscal year. This, however, is slightly better than the 26 units the company sold during the same period of last year. Dewan’s Kia Shehzore has also received a lukewarm response, with only 61 units sold. Although sales began in August, this figure remains quite low for a newly launched vehicle over two months. In contrast, its competitor, the Hyundai Porter, has sold 440 units since the Shehzore’s launch.

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