The number of used cars imported in Pakistan reached 18, 664 units, that is 51% during January-April in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
Among the imported cars 3,394 were economy segment vehicles while 6,666 units were of small low segment, Pakistan Automobile Assemblers Dealers Association (Pamada) Vice-Chairman Iqbal Shah said in a statement while quoting Customs data. These imports were 1,902 and 4,541 units during the same period a year earlier.
Moreover, 2,251 units of small high segment were imported as compared to 1,247 units in the same period of the last year.
The collective imports of vans, minivans and pick-ups went up to 4,869 units from 2,997.
Mr Shah claimed that the import of less than 1,800cc segment has caused an estimated loss to the national kitty of more than Rs12 billion in terms of taxes and duties.
At a time when government is planning and striving to invite and attract foreign investors like Fiat and Volkswagen the local auto industry had been questioning long enough regarding the rationale behind the import of used cars. Used car imports were thriving by exploiting baggage and gift schemes, the local industry claims.
Mr Shah expects the government to revise the duties on used cars based on current prices and give the auto and parts manufacturing industry a level-playing field.
