2023 has been a bleak year for Pakistan’s car industry with relentless production halts and massive price hikes. Automakers have cited a few major reasons for the ongoing crisis:
- Rupee devaluation
- Import restrictions
- Increase in taxes
- Increase in freight charges
- Raw material rate hikes
- Logistical hurdles
Al-Haj Automotive the assembler and seller of Proton cars in Pakistan, was also among the affected. Despite that, throughout 2022, the company decided not to increase the prices, except for the Saga Standard Automatic variant in February.
In the latest update, the company has announced a humungous price hike. Effective immediately, the new prices are as follows:
| Models | Old Price (Rs.) | New Price (Rs.) | Increase (Rs.) |
| Saga Standard M/T | 2,824,000 | 3,749,000 | 925,000 |
| Saga Standard A/T | 3,299,000 | 3,949,000 | 650,000 |
| Saga ACE A/T | 3,149,000 | 4,099,000 | 950,000 |
| X70 Executive AWD | 6,740,000 | 8,799,000 | 2,059,000 |
| X70 Premium FWD | 7,190,000 | 9,299,000 | 2,109,000 |
In a recent discussion with ProPakistani, a representative of an Al-Haj Proton dealership in Islamabad stated that the company will start taking bookings at new prices.
Proton cars are still a rare sight on Pakistani roads. Whether that is due to slow production and sales or lack of popularity, is unknown. For now, it is good to see the Malaysian carmaker get a fighting chance, albeit under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Old booking with all dues paid will also be affected with this new price hike?
Sir
At this price I think ur sale will be reduced to minimum level, price is very high
Then what is alternative in this price and too in sedan category.
proton saga looks like dodging car running on road so who would like to pay 3.8m