The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused severe supply chain issues, resulting in a huge spike in costs for both commodities and services. It may be argued that the global automotive industry has been affected the most by the pandemic which has led to a shortage of semiconductors that are vital to several modern vehicles, and a scarcity of containers, resulting in causing shipping delays and a steep increase in freight costs.
Freight costs are now 700 percent of the pre-pandemic tariff. Similarly, steel prices continue to surpass historical highs every few months now. Steel constitutes a major portion of the prices of vehicles and this has caused a huge cost increase for automobiles that automakers in Pakistan are also experiencing every month.
Thanks to the government’s recent intervention in the matter, car manufacturers are refraining from implementing massive price hikes. The government had stepped in on the basis of the reliefs provided to the automakers in Pakistan as a part of the Automotive Industry Development and Export Plan (AIDEP) 2021-26.
However, it is important to note that Pakistan has seen price hikes for vehicles yet again as a result of the more than 700 percent higher freight costs, as well as the recent depreciation of the rupee, skyrocketing prices of steel and resin.
Shortage in Motorcycle Industry
The motorcycle industry has already registered over four price revisions in just one year. Motorcycle retailers state that since the economy reopened after the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 last year, there has been a considerable increase in the demand for motorcycles.
According to sources, the motorcycle segment is having delivery issues for the first time in 20 years as the supply cannot fulfill the increasing demand. The sector also has a supply shortage due to the dearth of containers, with parts being delivered late, which was already a cause for concern since the onset of the pandemic.
Atlas Honda has raised its motorcycle pricing by three percent (up to Rs. 5,000) while Yamaha has increased its prices by nine percent (up to Rs. 13,000). Given the failing public transportation infrastructure and the ever-increasing prices of petrol, several assemblers predict that the demand for motorcycles will stay strong regardless of the price hikes.
| Motorcycle Price Increases in July 2021 | |
| Make | Increase |
| Yamaha | 9% |
| Honda | 4% |
| Suzuki | 3% |
| Chinese Motorcycles | 4% |
US Dollar and Steel Price Hike
Analysts project that the sector may conduct a pricing review in relation to the rupee-dollar parity. A six percent devaluation of the rupee has already occurred since the announcement of the budget.
The price of steel is likely to grow by at least 13 percent in the near future, according to the Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM). This is on top of the fact that local steel prices already rose by 50 to 60 percent last year.
The start of such a price increase has already been observed in the case of cars. Honda Atlas has increased the price of the new Honda City by Rs. 300,000 as compared to the previous generation. It was previously priced at about Rs. 100,000 below the comparable Yaris models. However, now its price is Rs. 275,000 more expensive than a Yaris.
A careful analysis reveals that the price increase of the Honda City includes all the incremental manufacturing costs, in addition to some profit adjustments. It may be assumed that Toyota will follow suit and will revise the prices of the Yaris by the same amount to account for the cost increases.
Considering the record-shattering prices of steel, freight costs, the shortage of the semiconductor chip, and the turbulent value of the local currency, the car industry can be expected to imitate motorcycle manufacturers by increasing the prices by nine percent due to the similar nature of manufacturing materials and supply chain issues.
| Vehicles | Jul-21 (Price Revision) | 9% Price Revision | Difference |
| Honda Civic 1.8 Oriel | 3,864,000 | 4,211,000 | 347,000 |
| Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo RS | 4,564,000 | 4,974,000 | 410,000 |
| Honda BRV S | 3,374,000 | 3,677,000 | 303,000 |
| Hyundai Tucson GLS | 4,979,000 | 5,427,000 | 448,000 |
| Hyundai Tucson Ultimate | 5,469,000 | 5,961,000 | 492,000 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS | 3,899,000 | 4,249,000 | 350,000 |
| Toyota Corolla 1.6 MT | 3,109,000 | 3,388,000 | 279,000 |
| Toyota Corolla 1.6 AT | 3,249,000 | 3,541,000 | 292,000 |
| Toyota Corolla 1.8 CVT | 3,579,000 | 3,901,000 | 322,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Grande 1.8 CVT | 3,889,000 | 4,239,000 | 350,000 |
| Fortuner Sigma 4 4×4 | 9,269,000 | 10,103,000 | 834,000 |
| Fortuner V 4×4 | 8,899,000 | 9,699,000 | 800,000 |
| Fortuner G 4×2 | 7,649,000 | 8,337,000 | 688,000 |
| Yaris 1.3 GLI MT | 2,409,000 | 2,625,000 | 216,000 |
| Yaris 1.3 GLI CVT | 2,589,000 | 2,822,000 | 233,000 |
| Yaris 1.3 Ativ MT | 2,519,000 | 2,745,000 | 226,000 |
| Yaris 1.3 Ativ CVT | 2,669,000 | 2,909,000 | 240,000 |
| Yaris 1.5 Ativ X MT | 2,719,000 | 2,963,000 | 244,000 |
| Yaris 1.5 Ativ X CVT | 2,899,000 | 3,159,000 | 260,000 |
| Changan M9 | 1,234,000 | 1,345,000 | 111,000 |
| Changan Karvaan | 1,399,000 | 1,524,000 | 125,000 |
| Changan Karvaan Plus | 1,539,000 | 1,677,000 | 138,000 |
| Changan Alsvin Comfort MT | 2,149,000 | 2,342,000 | 193,000 |
| Changan Alsvin Comfort DCT | 2,399,000 | 2,614,000 | 215,000 |
| Changan Alsvin Lumiere | 2,589,000 | 2,822,000 | 233,000 |
| Suzuki Alto VX | 1,113,000 | 1,213,000 | 100,000 |
| Suzuki Alto VXR | 1,335,000 | 1,455,000 | 120,000 |
| Suzuki Alto VXL AGS | 1,521,000 | 1,657,000 | 136,000 |
| Suzuki Bolan | 1,049,000 | 1,143,000 | 94,000 |
| Suzuki Cultus VXR | 1,655,000 | 1,803,000 | 148,000 |
| Suzuki Cultus VXL AGS | 1,975,000 | 2,152,000 | 177,000 |
| Suzuki Ravi | 1,034,000 | 1,127,000 | 93,000 |
| Suzuki Wagon R VXR | 1,530,000 | 1,667,000 | 137,000 |
| Suzuki Wagon R VXL | 1,610,000 | 1,754,000 | 144,000 |
| Suzuki Wagon R VXL AGS | 1,760,000 | 1,918,000 | 158,000 |
| KIA Picanto MT | 1,781,000 | 1,941,000 | 160,000 |
| KIA Picanto AT | 1,922,000 | 2,094,000 | 172,000 |
| KIA Sportage Alpha | 4,294,000 | 4,680,000 | 386,000 |
| KIA Sportage FWD | 4,782,000 | 5,212,000 | 430,000 |
| KIA Sportage AWD | 5,270,000 | 5,744,000 | 474,000 |
| KIA Sorento 2.4L FWD | 6,836,000 | 7,451,000 | 615,000 |
| KIA Sorento 2.4L AWD | 7,812,000 | 8,515,000 | 703,000 |
| KIA Sorento 3.4L FWD | 8,203,000 | 8,941,000 | 738,000 |
While it is sincerely hoped that the effects of the pandemic end soon and the cost of manufacturing becomes more feasible, this price increase might be inevitable unless the government intervenes. However, your dream car is still slightly within your reach.
With the government focusing on car financing programs, and manufacturers working on reducing lead time, it is expected that the actual affordability will not be majorly affected. The market will have a reduction in car premiums or ‘on money’ and easier availability of auto financing. This will help maintain the affordability of cars at existing levels.
Author: Usman Sohail
