Performance, Price and performance details reveals

Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) and Honda Atlas Cars (HCAR) delivered notable performances in FY25, standing out in Pakistan’s competitive automotive market.

Pak Suzuki’s Five-Year Ride: Growth, Challenges & Market Share:

FY21: Sales reached 123,244 units, supported by steady demand and consistent product availability.

FY22: Sales rose slightly to 126,679 units, helping PSMC retain its market leadership.

FY23: Sales declined to 114,605 units, affected by economic instability and restrictions on imports.

FY24: Sales dropped significantly to 35,253 units, driven by major supply chain disruptions and weakened consumer purchasing power.

FY25 (10 months): PSMC entered a recovery phase, selling 39,849 units—marking a 30% year-on-year increase.

How Honda Performed Over the Past Five Years in Pakistan:

FY21: Sold 24,064 units, driven by steady consumer demand for its sedan lineup.

FY22: Sales increased to 29,137 units, fueled by strong performances from the Civic and City models.

FY23: Experienced a slight dip to 28,928 units, maintaining overall stability.

FY24: Saw a sharp decline with only 9,760 units sold due to broader industry challenges.

FY25 (10 months): Made a strong recovery, reaching 14,483 units, reflecting a 32% YoY increase.

HCAR’s significant YoY growth in April signals a positive outlook, potentially narrowing the gap with PSMC’s market dominance.

End of an Era: The Mehran’s Iconic Legacy in Pakistan:

In 2018, Suzuki Mehran, once dubbed “the people’s car,” achieved its highest-ever annual sales in Pakistan, reaching 47,199 units, up from 37,933 units in 2017, according to PakDrive. This milestone marked a significant achievement in the car’s nearly three-decade production run.

Despite its official discontinuation in 2019, Mehran’s legacy remains strong. Between 1999 and 2018, the car sold nearly 600,000 units, highlighting its popularity as an affordable and reliable option for the masses. In contrast, its worst-performing year was 2001, with sales dipping to just 5,169 units, likely due to an economic slowdown and increased competition.

Honda’s Rise in the Last Five Years:

In the post-Mehran era, consumers have shifted toward more feature-rich and fuel-efficient vehicles. Pakwheels reports that in the last five years, Honda Atlas has firmly established its market presence. The Honda City and Civic models have become the company’s top sellers in Pakistan.

Recent reports show that the City and Civic models regularly surpass 1,100 units per month, outperforming other Honda models. Meanwhile, Honda’s compact and subcompact SUVs, the BR-V and HR-V, collectively sell over 100 units per month.

Although Honda’s monthly sales may not match the former peak of the Suzuki Mehran, they indicate a growing demand for performance, comfort, and technology, trends that are increasingly influencing middle-class car buyers.

Suzuki vs. Honda: A Tale of Two Strategies:

Suzuki continues to lead in volume in Pakistan’s market, thanks to its affordable and fuel-efficient lineup, including the Alto, Wagon R, and Cultus. The Suzuki Alto, which replaced the Mehran, has become Pakistan’s top-selling car in recent years, consistently topping monthly sales charts with over 6,000–8,000 units sold.

In contrast, Honda focuses on premium offerings, maintaining a narrower portfolio but achieving higher margins per unit. Honda’s vehicles attract a more urban, upwardly mobile demographic, highlighting safety features, infotainment systems, and performance engines.