By Syed M. Aslam
Feb 07 - 13, 2000
Suzuki and Toyota have emerged as the top two car producers and sellers
in their respective segments of the market in Pakistan. Suzuki entirely dominating the car
and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) segment of upto 1000 cc, all its vehicles (800 cc
Mehran and 1000 cc Khyber cars; 1000 cc Potohar Jeep, Bolan Van, 1000 cc Ravi Pickup)
falls under this category with the exception of 1300 cc Baleno car.
Toyota, on the other hand, enjoy the major share of the 1300-2000 cc
segment of the market including 2000 cc diesel cars. It also produces 2400 cc Hilux 4x4
and 4x2 diesel trucks, the only vehicle of its kind manufactured by any auto assembler in
Pakistan.
A total of 47,000 passenger cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs)
were produced in Pakistan in 1998-99. This included 38,619 800-2000 cc passenger cars and
1000-2400 cc 8,700 LCVs.
Suzuki has emerged as the leading car producer of Pakistan to
completely dominate the small car segment of 800-1000 cc but has also been able to take 19
per cent share of the 1300-2000 cc market.
Toyota, on the other hand, has emerged as the market leader in the big
car segment as well as its 2400 cc Hilux 4x4 and 4x2 trucks enjoying over quarter of the
LCV niche of the market. It enjoys a leading 54 per cent of the 1300-2000 cc car market.
Suzuki has become a vehicle of choice for most Pakistanis— out of
100 cars and LCVs produced in Pakistan in 1998-99, 69 were Suzukis. On the other hand, 22
out of every 100 cars and LCVs produced in Pakistan in 1998-99 were Toyotas. Of the total
47,320 cars upto 2000 cc and LCVs upto 2400 Toyota Hilux trucks produced in the country in
1998-99, 32,742 or 69 per cent were produced by Suzuki followed by 10,169 or 22 per cent
by the Indus Motor, the local assembler of Toyota Corolla cars and Hilux trucks.
Similarly, of the total 38,619 passenger cars of upto 2000 cc produced
in the same year, 25,841 or 67 per cent were Suzukis and 8,369 or 22 per cent were various
models of Corollas.
Suzuki and Toyota collectively enjoyed the 89 per cent of the 800-2000
cc passenger car market in Pakistan— 67 per cent for Suzuki and 22 per cent for
Toyota. The rest of the 11 per cent demand was primarily met by Honda with a negligible
contribution from Ghandhara Nissan’s Sunny.
In the Light Commercial Vehicles market of upto 1000 cc Suzuki Potohar
Jeep, Bolan Van and Ravi Pickup dominate the market. However, with the production of
Hyundai one-ton Shehzore truck in the second half last year the competition is expected to
gather momentum in the months to come.
Toyota Hilux truck completely dominates the market in this particular
niche of the market.
The Pakistani auto industry is in a state of transition with the
entrance of Korean Kia and Hyundai cars and LCVs. The first Kia Classic rolled off its
interim assembly plant at Sujawal, District Thatta in the middle of the last month while
Hyundai one-ton Shehzore truck is being assembled at the Sindh Engineering plant in
Karachi. Both the cars are being produced by the Dewan Farooque Motors Limited which has
plans to assemble Hyundai 1000 cc Santro Plus car, Kia Shuma 1600 cc car and 4x4 Kia
‘Spotage’, a sports vehicle by second half this year and in the early part of
next year.
With the focus now shifting to the small car segment, Toyota, which now
controls majority shares in Daihatsu of Japan, will be introducing 850 cc Daihatsu Cuore
car next month. Cuore will be aimed at the small car segment. The Daihatsu assembly plant
is located within the premises of Toyota plant at Port Qasim and will have a production
capacity of 10,000 units. Daihatsu will be producing 5,000 Cuore cars in the initial year.
Cuore cars will be marketed through the established dealership of Toyota.
The Suzuki is also aware of the emerging competition in the small car
segment and has drawn up a well planned strategy to maintain its market lead by bringing
new models this year.B
Production of Various Models of Suzuki in 1998-99
Model Production
Volume
Mehran 800 cc 16,501
Khyber 1000 cc 6,991
Baleno 1300 cc 2,349
Potohar Jeep 1000 cc 622
Bolan Van 4,245
Ravi Pickup 2,034
Total 32742
Source: Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories
Manufacturers (PAAPAM)
Production of Various Models of Toyota
Model Production
Volume
Corollas 8,369
Hilux 4x4 119
Hilux 4x2 1,681
Total 10,169
Source: PAAPAM
