Friday, October 03 2025

PAAPAM concerned over IMF’s recent push for trade liberalisation
The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has expressed strong concerns over the IMF’s recent push for trade liberalisation, particularly proposals to reduce tariff protections and allow commercial imports of used vehicles. While supporting Pakistan’s goals of economic efficiency and environmental sustainability, PAAPAM cautioned that these measures could undermine the domestic auto industry, threaten jobs, and erode investor confidence. “Trade liberalisation must not come at the cost of deindustrialisation and fiscal leakage,” said Usman Aslam Malik, Chairman PAAPAM. The association warned that large-scale imports of used vehicles—often failing modern safety and emissions standards — could derail Pakistan’s efforts to localize new energy vehicle (NEV) production. PAAPAM called for clarity on how such imports align with national sustainability and industrial goals.
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Thursday, October 02 2025

Suzuki raises price of discontinued Ravi
Pak Suzu­­ki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) has increased the price of its discontinued Suzuki Ravi model by Rs100,000, taking the new ex-factory rate to Rs2.075 million, up from Rs1.975m. According to a circular issued to authorised dealers on Wednesday, the revised price applies despite the vehicle’s production already being halted. Data from the PAMA shows zero production of the Ravi in July and August 2025, while sales during the same period stood at 930 units — fulfilled against previous orders.
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New safety standards for vehicles enforced
The Ministry of Industries and Production has enforced quality and safety standards for both imported and locally manufactured vehicles for the first time, amid concerns from auto industry stakeholders. The Engineering Development Board (EDB), through official notifications, has made it mandatory for all new and used imported vehicles to conform to dozens of WP-29 standards. These cover road safety, passenger protection, emission limits, and environmental compliance. WP-29 is a framework set by the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations under the United Nations. The decision was ratified by the federal cabinet on the recommendation of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
Related news categories: auto-assembler business economic-indicators misc

Pakistan’s auto sector: safety, quality rules for imported and locally produced vehicles notified
The Engineering Development Board (EDB), an apex government body under the Ministry of Industries & Production in Pakistan, has issued two separate notifications for adopting motor vehicles safety, quality, and environmental standards for imported and locally-manufactured/assembled vehicles. The development comes as the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) issued on Tuesday a statutory regulatory order (SROs), allowing commercial import of up to five-year-old vehicles with 40% additional duty with immediate effect.
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Friday, September 26 2025

Used vehicle import unlikely to dent local sales: Sazgar
As the government moves to allow commercial imports of used vehicles, the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has expressed concern over the potential impact on local vehicle assembly. However, a leading Chinese assembler says it expects minimal disruption to its sales. PAMA Director-General Abdul Waheed Khan warned that the decision to relax restrictions on used car imports could flood the market with old vehicles, risking environmental harm and undermining local manufacturing. He also criticised the lack of infrastructure to enforce environmental standards and said the 40pc regulatory duty (RD) on used imports might be undermined by invoicing and valuation disputes. In contrast, Sazgar Engineering Works Ltd, one of Pakistan’s prominent four-wheeler assemblers, told Topline Securities in a corporate briefing that the 40pc RD on used cars up to five years old would mainly affect sedan imports and would not significantly impact its sales. The company expects this move to ease import pressures.
Related news categories: auto-assembler business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges
Related symbols: sazew (news stock)