Auto sales accelerate 36% in August

Passenger car sales in Pakistan climbed 36.4 per cent in August compared with the same month last year, reaching 13,717 units. Mettis Global, citing figures from the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association, reported the rise. Against July, however, monthly sales shrank 20.3 per cent from 17,216 units, signalling a slowdown after the previous month's strong run.

Toyota's Corolla, Yaris and Corolla Cross range accounted for 3,079 units in August compared with 2,553 units a year earlier. Honda's Civic and City models surged from 699 units to 2,553 units over the year. Suzuki's Alto held the leading position in the below-1000cc category with 5,339 units, while Swift was broadly unchanged at 1,472 units.

Jeeps, pickups and SUVs fell 53.9 per cent on an annual basis to 1,841 units, weighed down by weaker Fortuner and IMV numbers alongside Honda's BR-V and HR-V. Cultus sales dropped to 296 units, down from 497, while Hyundai's Elantra climbed to 458 units. On a cumulative basis, sales over the two-month period reached 30,933 units, 79.9 per cent above the 17,192 units recorded a year earlier. Trucks and buses totalled 875 units, and tractors reached 1,052 units in the month.