KARACHI: The overall sales of cars, light commercial vehicle (LCVs), jeeps and pickups fell 47 per cent to 109,466 units during the first nine months of the current fiscal year (FY2022-23) from 205,452 units in the same period of fy2012-22, data issued by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers (PAMA) reveals.

However, the auto sales surged 61pc month-on-month in March to 9,351 units, the data further shows. The March sales were 66pc lower as compared to 27,202 units sold in March 2022.

The auto sales witnessed plunge amid rising prices, expensive financing and plant shutdowns in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

According to the break up, truck sales came down by 46pc to 279 units in March from 521 in February, while it stood at 500 units in March 2022. As a result, 9MFY23 truck sales dropped 37pc to 2,825 against 4,493 units in 9MFY22.

Only 29 buses were sold in March as compared to 136 in February and 65 in March, indicating a month-on-month drop of 79pc and 55pc YoY. However, with low monthly sales, the overall 9MFY23 bus sales soared to 557 units from 458 units, up by 22pc.

Sales of tractors dropped 49pc to 21,233 units as compared to 41,603 units in FY22. With sales of 2,984 units in March, the MoM and YoY decline was 10pc and 47pc respectively.

Total two-wheeler sales clocked into 908,555 units, down by 33pc from 1.348mn during 9MFY22. In March, bike sales stood at 83,149 units, showing a fall of 17pc on MoM and 43pc on YoY.

Three-wheeler sales in March were 1,158 units, which was 54pc and 71pc low on MoM and YoY. Meanwhile, a drop of 48pc was recorded in overall three-wheeler sales in 9MFY23 to 16,148 units as compared to 31,231 units in FY22.

The sales of Honda Atlas Cars Limited fell to 835 units in March, down by 49pc MoM and 77pc YoY, while 9MFY23 sales were down by 46pc to 16,278 units.

Sazgar Engineering sold 1,361 units in 9MFY22 against 170 units during FY22 despite a 61pc fall in monthly sales to 118 units.