Pakistan Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSML) has urged the government to restrict the import of used cars, arguing that such a move would help revive and strengthen local automobile production.
Speaking to journalists during a media briefing on Saturday, PSML Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Hiroshi Kawamura said that second-hand imported cars now account for around 25 per cent of the total market. He noted that reducing their influx could give a major boost to the local manufacturing sector.
Mr Kawamura said the government’s plan to support the Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector should focus more on encouraging exports through incentives, rather than setting binding production targets.
He stressed the need for consistent policy support to help the auto industry grow. One of his key suggestions was to withdraw duty concessions for 1300cc vehicles, which make up nearly 75 per cent of used car imports—mainly because of the relatively low fixed taxes applied to them.
He also recommended reducing the permissible age limit of imported vans from five years to three, which he said would help reduce the pressure on the local market.
“PSML has always remained committed to its mission of offering affordable mobility to improve the lives of people in Pakistan,” Mr Kawamura said.
He also spoke of the company’s long-standing bond with Pakistan, highlighting that it was the first country outside Japan where Suzuki started manufacturing cars in 1975—eight years before Pak Suzuki was officially established in 1983.
Looking ahead, Mr Kawamura shared a positive outlook for the domestic auto market. He said the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) segment—vehicles assembled locally from imported parts—is expected to see growth of around 20 per cent this year.
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