ISLAMABAD: *Local Auto Manufactures raised serious concerns over surge inimport of the used cars in the country.*
Local car manufacturers/assemblers have raised serious concerns over thesurge in the import of used cars during the last two months, saying thatthis practice “will damage the local auto industry”.
Since the sale of locally-assembled vehicles has shown a sharp decreaseduring the past year owing to the overall economic slowdown, the increasingimports of used cars have further alarmed the assemblers.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Pakistan Automotive ManufacturersAssociation (PAMA) expressed grave concern over the increase in “illegalimport” of used cars.
According to the statement, the number of used imported cars in September2019 stood at 565 units whereas the combined figures for July and Augustwere just 531 units. In October 2019, the imports further increased to 709units.
“The strict policies the incumbent government were able to control theillegal import of used cars as it came down in FY2018-19. This was quite asuccess on the part of the government as its policies had started bearingfruits for the local auto industry,” said the PAMA spokesperson. “But itseems that the importers’ have once again found a way to continue withtheir nefarious plans of denting the local auto industry.”
Read Top Stories
Citing media reports, he alleged the importers were importing used cars onthe passports of Pakistanis residing in Dubai.
He said that the government should immediately investigate this issue andmust stop this practice in order to help the local auto industry. It isironic that the government is not restricting the import of used cars,given its impact on the environment, local auto sector and the nationaleconomy, he added.
“We are already facing the brunt of rupee devaluation, additional dutiesand an increase in interest rates. Now, the misuse of used cars’ schemes isproving detrimental to the industry,” he concluded.
