Engineering Development Board (EDP) and Ministry of Industries andProduction have started working on the new Automotive Industry Developmentand Export Plan (AIDEP) 2021-26 as the existing Auto Development Policy(ADP) 2016-21) is set to expire in June this year.

According to reports, the AIDEP 2021-26 will focus on facilitating themanufacturing of affordable cars, which will lead to cost reduction, pricestability, and employment generation in the country.——————————

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AIDEP 2021-26 is also expected to significantly reduce customs duty,additional customs duty, and federal excise duty for the entire auto sector.

However, in return, the government will negotiate with car manufacturersfor a reduction in car prices, increase in localization, and concertedefforts to increase exports.

Note that around 45% of the price of a vehicle that a consumer pays goes tothe government in duties and taxes.

It includes customs duty on import of localized parts is 45% while 30% onnon-localized parts and a 7% additional customs duty on import of allparts. There is also up to 7.5% federal excise duty on different enginecapacities. In addition to this, there is a 17% sales tax on the sale of acar.——————————

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An industry source said that the government can significantly reduce carprices by slashing taxes and duties.

For instance, if automakers are to bring the price of a modern hatchbackdown to Rs. 1 million from Rs. 1.5 million, the government must reduceexorbitant duties and taxes, the source added.