A brief summary of Pakistan’s auto industry since 1947

As our readers may have seen my previous post about “The first Pakistani car”, I thought it may be a good idea to provide a year by year progress summary of auto industry in Pakistan from its beginning. As one can expect, Pakistan auto industry has seen ups and downs in the last 60 years. I intend to bring more news about Pakistan auto industry as the industry goes through the current roller coaster ride, but here is a brief history to bring us to the current times, starting from 1949 to 2003.

GETTING THE WHEEL IN MOTION:

1949: Vauxhall Cars introduced by General Motors & Sales. Bedford Trucks introduced by General Motors & Sales. Ford Trucks introduced by Ali Automobiles.

1953: Exide battery started production.

1956: Dodge Cars introduced by Haroon Industries.

1958: Ford Angela Cars introduced by Ali Automobiles.

1959: Ford Pickups introduced by Ali Automobiles.

1960: Ford Combi introduced by Ali Automobiles.

1961: Precision auto parts manufacturing started at Allwin Engineering.

1962: Lamberate Scooter introduced by Wazir Ali Engineering. Jeep CJ 5, 6, & 7 introduced by Kandawala Industries. Bedford Truck assembling started at Ghandara Motors.

1963: Mack Trucks introduced by Hye Sons. General Tyres & Rubber Company started production in Karachi.

1964: MF Tractors introduced by Rana Tractors. Vespa Scooter and Rickshaw introduced by Raja Auto Cars. Honda Motor Cycle introduced by Atlas Autos. Ghandara Industries launched Localization Plant for Bedford Trucks.

1965: Specialized Vehicles Production at Jaffer Industries.

1967: Toyota vehicles introduced by Monnoo Motors.

CHANGING TRACKS:

1972: Nationalization, Pakistan Automobile Corporation (PACO) formed. Ali Autos renamed Awami Autos, Wazir Ali Engineering renamed Sindh Engineering, Haroon Industries Renamed Republic Motors, Ghandara Motors renamed National Motors, Kandawala Industries renamed Naya Daur Motors, Hye Sons renamed Mack Trucks, Jaffer Industries renamed Trailer Development Corporation, Rana Tractors renamed Millat Tractors, Tractor Corporation of Pakistan formed.

1974: Yamaha Motor Cycle launched by Dawood Yamaha, Diesel Engines manufacturing started at Bela Engineering.

1976: Suzuki Motor Cycle introduced by Sindh Engineering.

1977: Kawasaki Motor Cycle introduced by Saif Nadeem Kawasaki. Suzuki Jeep introduced by Naya Daur Motors.

1978: Plastic parts manufacturing at SPEL

1980: Suzuki Pickups introduced by Awami Autos, Mazda Truck introduced by Sindh Engineering, Project approved for production of wheel Rims at Balochistan Wheels under TAA with GKN-Sankey.

1981: Wire Harness production at Ayenbee, Production of Specialized Auto Parts at Agriauto Industries.

CHANGING GEARS:

1982: Suzuki Cars production started by Pak Suzuki. Bolan Castings started production, Belarus Tractors introduced by Fecto Tractors

1983: Fiat Tractors introduced by Al-Ghazi Tractors, Vendor Development & Technical Cell (VDTC) formed.

1986: Hinopak Motors Limited formed as joint venture company between PACO, Al-Futtaim, Hino Motors & TTC.

1987: Production of Nissan Diesel Trucks by Ghandara Nissan.

1988: Pakistan Association of Auto Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) formed.

1989: Second car plant sanctioned by the GoP (Indus Motor Company).

1992: Privatisation of Pak Suzuki Motor Co.

1993: Production of Toyota Corolla by Indus Motor Company Limited First export of Buses and Trailers by Hinopak Motors Limited.

READY FOR TAKE-OFF:

1994: Production of Honda Civic by Honda Atlas Cars Pak Ltd. Import of Vehicles under Yellow Cab Scheme. Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) formed.

1995: Engineering Development Board (EDB) formed First PAP Show in Islamabad.

1996: First Industry Specific Deletion Programme (ISSDP) printed for the period up to 2001.

1997: VDTC renamed AT & TC. Second PAP Show held in Lahore. Aircon Systems production starts at San pak Lahore. Production of Sohrab Motorcycle.

1998: Export of Light Commercial Vehicles by Pak Suzuki Motor Company. Saigol Quingqi starts production of motorcycles with Chinese collaboration.

1999: Dewan Farooque Motors starts production of Korean Pickup named Shahzore. Hinopak Motors Ltd. taken over by Hino Motors and TTC of Japan.

2000: 3rd PAP Show in Karachi. Raja Motors starts production of UNO Cars. Production of Daihatsu vehicles by Indus Motor Company Ltd.

2001: Molded Interiors manufacturing starts at Procon Engineering.

2002: Adam Motors launches Chinese Truck named Zabardast. Revised and updated ISDP for the period up to 2005 finalized.

2003: Sindh Engineering launches range of Chinese Trucks. Economy of the country is at Take-off stage and so is the Auto Industry. 1st PAMA AutoExpo held in Islamabad (May 12, 13, 2003).

Source: PAMA - Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association