Motorcycles are one of the most common means of transport in Pakistan, in 2016 Pakistan produced 2 million motorcycles this reflects the demand of Bike industry but now Suzuki & Honda have raised their prices in Pakistan.
They are the leading Japanese bike assemblers, Atlas Honda sold 810,539 bikes while Suzuki sold 16832 bikes in 2016. Different change in price has been in different models between Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000.
In an issued letter Pak Suzuki Motor Company issued a letter to their dealers about increasing the price from 1st October. Similarly Atlas Honda has also increased the prices of different models. Such as:
- Suzuki GS150 is now being sold at Rs. 138,500, an increase of Rs. 500
- Suzuki SD110 Sprinter ECO is now available at Rs. 103,400 previously it was sold at Rs. 98,400
- Atlas CG125 model also saw a rise of Rs. 500
Atlas CD-70cc, the most famous product of Atlas was not affected by the increase. Its price is same from past 2.5 years majorly because of competition from Chinese manufactured bikes.
The companies failed to tell the reason for the price hike but the Chairman Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers, Mohammad Sabir Shaikh claims that increased price is due to increased cost of assembling.
The reason for bikes being the most common mode of ride is the lower price, easy availability through installments are cheaper products from Chinese manufacturers. The price hike has also affected the Chinese manufacturers which have increased the prices by Rs. 500 – Rs. 1,500 on 70cc & 125cc motorcycles.
The increased price will affect mostly the major cities such as Karachi & Lahore where the major sales are made. So far Punjab will be the most affected province because of highest ratio of sales for motorcycles in the province.