Automotive industry in Pakistan

Pakistan produced its first vehicle in 1953 at the National Motors plant in Karachi, according to the Ministry of Industries & Production. The plant was opened in conjunction with General Motors who arranged the facilities for the production of Vauxhall cars and Bedford trucks. Subsequently, buses, light trucks, and cars would be assembled at the same plant. In the same year, Ford trucks partnered with Ali Automobiles where they introduced Ford Anglia, Ford pickups and the Ford Kombi. Exide Pakistan also began the production of car batteries in 1953. Haroon Industries partnered with Dodge Motors in 1956.[17]

In 1961, Allwin Engineering introduced precision auto parts to the Pakistani auto market. In 1962, Lambretta partnered with Wazir Ali Engineering to begin production of the Lambretta TV200 scooter while Kandawala Industries introduced the CJ 5, CJ 6, CJ 7 series Jeep. In 1963, General Tyre Pakistan began production in Karachi while Hye Sons began production of Mack Trucks. In 1964, Rana Tractors began producing Massey Ferguson Tractors while the famous Vespa scooter and rickshaw were introduced by Raja Auto Cars. In 1965, Jaffer Industries and Mannoo Motors began operations.

The 1970s saw nationalization of many companies. In 1972, the Pakistan Automobile Corporation (PACO) was formed. Many companies were bought out or merged into others. Wazir Ali Engineering was renamed to Sindh Engineering, Ali Autos to Awami Autos, Haroon Industries to Republic Motors, Ghandara Motors to National Motors, Hye Sons to Mack Trucks, Kandawala Industries to Naya Daur Motors, Jaffer Industries to Trailer Development Corporation and Rana Tractors to Millat Tractors. Dawood Yamaha introduced Yamaha motorcycles in 1974 and in the same year Beta Engineering started producing diesel engines. In 1976, Suzuki Motor Cycles launched by Sindh Engineering. Saif Nadeem Kawasaki launched Kawasaki motorcycles in 1977 while Suzuki Jeep was manufactured by Naya Daur Motors.

In 1980, Awami Motors began manufactured Suzuki pickups while Sindh Engineering began producing Mazda Trucks. In 1981, Agriauto Industries introduced production of local auto parts while in 1982, Pak Suzuki began production of vehicles. In 1983, the Vendor Development & Technical Cell or VDTC was formed along with Al-Ghazi Tractors which was introduced by Fiat. In 1986, Hinopak Motors began as a joint venture between PACO, Al-Futtaim Group, Hino Motors & TTC. In 1987, Ghandhara Nissan began production of Nissan Diesel Trucks. In 1989, Pakistan Association of Auto Parts & Accessories Manufacturers began operation.

The industry was highly regulated until the early 1990s. Following deregulation, the decade witnessed a huge boom in auto production, as nationalization was abandoned in favor of privatization. Japan acquired the 40% shares of Pak Suzuki in 1991. In 1993, the Indus Motors Company began production of Toyota Corollas. In 1994, the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association formed, and Honda Atlas introduced manufacturing of the Honda Civic. In 1995, the Engineering Development Board inaugurated the PAP show.

From 2001 to 2007, small assemblers and many bike importers started assembling replicas of the Honda CD70 with Chinese collaboration and established there Association with Founder Chairman of Mr. Muhammad Sabir Shaikh, Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers APMA in 2002, after 2003 annual production of motorcycles kept increasing, with auto sales making records year after year, reaching a peak of 195,688 sales in 2007, during this period Afzal Motors began local assembly of Daewoo buses and trucks under license from Daewoo Bus, South Korea and Tata Daewoo, thanks to rising car financing up to 70–80% by banks and low interest rates coupled with rising rural purchases. From 2007 to 2009, the auto sector witnessed reduce sales amid high interest rates and yen appreciation against the rupee. In 2007, the automotive industry made up 2.8% of Pakistan's GDP and contributed 16% to the manufacturing sector. The 2000s also saw the introduction of dual fuel options to run both on petrol and CNG, which is more affordable and cheaper than petrol in the country.

In 2010 the sales rebounded and began increasing again. The auto industry predicted a growing demand in Pakistan and invested over ₨20 billion (US$120 million) during this decade. Motorcycle production hit a record level in 2016–17, with 2.5 million units made. In 2015, the Auto Policy 2016-21 was introduced, to help lure new automakers, which has traditionally been dominated by Honda, Toyota and Suzuki. The auto industry remains the second-largest payer of indirect taxes after the petroleum industry in Pakistan. At present, there are 10 cars for every 1,000 people in Pakistan. This is one of the lowest ratios among emerging economies, which itself speaks of high potential of growth. Rising per capita income with changing demographic distribution and an anticipated influx of 30 to 40 million young people in the economically active workforce in the next decade will provide a stimulus to the industry to expand and grow.[18] Toyota started local assembly of its sedan Corolla. Similarly, United Motors started first Pakistani locally made car Ghandhara Nissan started production of Isuzu d-max in Pakistan.