Pakistan May 2020: Suzuki Alto reclaims lead in market down -74.7%

The Suzuki Alto is the best-selling vehicle in Pakistan in May.

Pakistan has gingerly reopened its economy in May after Prime Minister Imran Khan said the government was unable to financially help all those who lost their job. Sadly this coincides with a dramatic turn in COVID-19 infections, going from 5.374 two months ago to 34.336 when we published the April 2020 article and 113.702 at the time of writing. On June 8 alone, Pakistan recorded 10.031 new cases, 4th globally behind Brazil (32.091), the US (19.208) and India (10.218) and above Russia (8.587) as well as 188 deaths, 6th globally behind Brazil (1.272), the US (1.016), Mexico (596), the UK (288) and India (277).

In May, sales of new light vehicles manufactured in Pakistan, a pretty accurate image of the local market given import taxes are so high, are off -74.7% year-on-year to 4.527 after virtually stopping in April to just 39 (-99.9%). The year-to-date tally is now down -65.2% to 35.722. Suzuki (-64.3%) reclaims the brands top spot with a suffocating 79.5% share above Toyota (-88.5%) at 12.1% and Honda (-89%) at 7.2%. Hyundai, JAC and Isuzu, the only manufacturers in activity in May, add up to just 54 sales altogether.

Model-wise, the new Suzuki Alto – launched in the country in June 2019 – reclaims the top spot for the first time this year after a 4-month hiatus with a stellar 28.8% share which is, again, its highest so far in 2020. The Alto topped the Pakistani models charts for six consecutive months in 2019, from July to December. The Suzuki Cultus (-63.8%), also recently relaunched, shoots up to #2 with 20.4% share vs. 13.6% YTD, with the Suzuki Ravi (-59.2%) rounding out the podium and the Bolan, WagonR and Toyota Corolla (-92.8%) in tow. Notice the arrival of the Toyota Yaris, now locally produced, at #7.

Previous month: Pakistan April 2020: Market all but stops to just 39 sales (-99.9%)

One year ago: Pakistan May 2019: Suzuki Cultus up 80.3% in market down -18%

Full May 2020 Top 6 All Pakistani-made brands and Top XX All-models below.