Car sales register 37pc growth in nine months

Car sales register 37pc growth in nine months

KARACHI: The sales of locally assembled cars registered 37 percent growth in first nine months (July – March) 2020/2021 owing to higher demand following ease in coronavirus restriction during the period.

According to Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) the car sales recorded 134,522 units during first nine months of the current fiscal year as compared with 98,425 units in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

Analysts attributed the rise in car sales to ease in restrictions related to coronavirus during the current fiscal year, which resulted in acceleration in economic activities.

According to analysts of Topline Securities, the car sales have increased by 27 percent MoM in March 2021 (highest since March 2019), taking 9MFY21 sales growth to 37 percent YoY.

The same, including Lucky Motors Corporation (KIA, non-member of PAMA), is up by around 20 percent MoM (highest since October 2018) with 9MFY21 sales growth estimated at around 46 percent YoY.

Sales are up 198 percent YoY (as reported by PAMA) in March 2021, however YoY sales growth is misleading, in their view, because of lockdowns in March last year due to COVID-19.

Indus Motor Company (INDU) sales increased the most by 53 percent MoM as the company had witnessed supply issues in Feb-2021. Sales growth was primarily driven by Hilux sales, which were up by 103 percent MoM.

New entrants in the industry, Hyundai Nishat sold 723 units in March 2021 with the inclusion of Hyundai Elantra, while Lucky Motor Corporation sold around 2,000 units, as per our channel checks.

Atlas Honda (ATLH) recorded motorbike sales of 125,030 units in March 2021, up 20 percent MoM. In 9MFY21, sales have increased by 25 percent YoY.

Tractor sales in Mar-2021 are up by 89 percent YoY and 24 percent MoM.

Millat Tractors (MTL) recorded increase of 71 percent YoY (+17 percent MoM) while Al Ghazi Tractors (AGTL) sales increased by 133 percent YoY (+40 percent MoM), respectively.