About 3 years ago, when the Auto Policy 2016-21 was being formulated, the ex-government said it wanted to create healthy competition in the auto sector and that the new auto policy will help end monopolistic operations in the market.
Related: Pakistan Auto Policy: What Needs to be Done?
The primary objective of the auto policy was to attract new automakers, create competition, loosen the grip of 3 Japanese players, shorten the delivery period, curb the menace of own/ premium, bring down prices and improve the quality of products offered to the customers. Fast forward 3 years, none of these objectives seems to have been achieved. This is because newcomers haven’t yet introduced anything that competes against the products offered by existing players. They are either focused towards launching commercial pickups and vans or super-expensive options beyond the reach of masses.
The recipe of success was simple– fill the gap by offering a product that has a huge demand in the market and has not been introduced by the existing players. Unfortunately the low-end segment of the market is still single handedly being dominated by Pak Suzuki, while small scale newcomers such as United with its miniscule production capacity is restricted to a few selected cities of a single province.
Related: United Bravo Yet to be Available in Other Provinces
South Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai might have had a tough task of improving their brand impression in the country since both these automakers had to pack-up their operations during the previous decade which created a bad public perception about these brands. However the marketing strategy of Hyundai and Kia in Pakistan restricted them to launch any of their successful sedans or hatchbacks, instead they started with luxury MPVs and SUVs and priced them as if it was their premium Genesis brand.
Changan, another key Chinese player has been busy with its minivan and commercial pickups and is yet to introduce a passenger vehicle in the market. Kia however is in process of introducing the globally retired second generation Picanto– that too for PKR 2.0 million which has stirred a lot of debate on social media already.
Related: Kia Picanto for PKR 2.0 Million- Something Somewhere is Not Right
Pak Suzuki earlier this year replaced their 30-year old 2nd generation Alto aka Mehran, with its 8th generation model equipped with a 660cc engine. The new Alto has witnessed tremendous success in a very short period and has become the best selling car in no time. Despite the fact that Pak Suzuki has given the car two major price revisions within a span of three months, the sales of Alto 660cc are soaring.
The recipe to Alto’s success is simple. An entry level hatchback with an automatic transmission is a dire need of masses. The success of Alto can be analyzed by looking at its figures, which despite the slowdown is outselling every other car in the market.
Related: Pak Suzuki WagonR Hit Hard by Alto 660cc
In the first quarter of this fiscal year the Alto sold 12,943 units averaging 4,314 units a month. This figure is more than the combined sales of all 1300cc & above cars including City, Civic, Corolla and Swift– the cumulative sales of which were 9,953 units in the same period.
Similarly, sales of 1000cc cars stood at 5,766 units, less than half of Alto’s individual sales, while the entire Pak Suzuki lineup consisting of Swift, Cultus, Wagon R, Bolan and Ravi sold just 8,955 units combined, during the first quarter of this fiscal year.
Local assembled Kia Picanto
If Kia had launched the Picanto last year instead of Grand Carnival, they might have been able to capture a good share of market with a hatchback having an automatic transmission option. However delaying the launch of something that was supposedly more in demand and pricing it higher than the existing options might not bring Kia the same results as that of Alto 660cc.
Hyundai has recently launched the Ioniq hybrid priced at PKR 64.0 lac in Pakistan. This is the segment which barely represents 1% of the market and sales never really reach even three figures. And when you know Hyundai has quality options such as the i10 & i20 hatchbacks, or Verna or Elantra sedans out there, that holds a strong demand in market, what’s the need of launching something that has virtually no market in the country?
Related: Pak Suzuki Suffering -68% Reduction in Sales Sparing Alto
Alto’s success even in these bad times shows us that there are serious flaws in the market study and analysis by these newcomers. Unless they really want to compete in the market by offering right products that people really want to buy, instead of launching products that keep on gracing the showroom floors. For now, the success seems far away.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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