According to an official of the Ministry of Industries, the government wants to gradually reduce protection given to the auto industry by reducing the tariff on Completely Built Units (CBU) to ensure availability of imported substitutes for consumers at affordable prices. It also wishes to rationalise tariffs applicable on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) units.
The government has proposed the following: a reduction in the tariff on cars up to 1,000cc engine size, from the current 55% to 40% for the next five years; from 60%, to 50% for 1,001cc to 1,500cc cars; and a 5% increase in the tariff of 1,501cc to 2,000cc cars from the current 75%. The official further said the government has also proposed withdrawal of the 50% regulatory duty on cars exceeding 1,800cc; which it believes is an impediment to the growth of this segment.
The tariff for non-localised CKD vehicles is currently 32.5%, but has been slashed to 20% for the next five years in the proposal. For localised CKD vehicles, it has been proposed at 35%, against the current tariff of 50%. The Light Commercial Vehicle category tariff is currently 60%, but it is proposed at 50% for the next financial year. Localised CKD and components tariff is currently 50%, and has been proposed at 35% for the next five years.
According to the official, the government has also proposed reducing the tariff slabs for import of CBU units from the existing 5 to 4. It also wishes to revisit the existing schemes for import of used vehicles, so as to circumvent misuse and encourage the import of new vehicles over old and used ones.
“Lowering the CKD rate – and simultaneously keeping the CBU rate higher – is not only in line with trends followed by successful regional economies, but will also attract new investments, enable technology transfers, and provide an even playing field to existing assemblers and vendors when the MFN status is granted to India,” added the official.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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Sensible thinking. CKD industry standardisation is most essential by EDB, for standardisation and QC of vehicles from international rating agency, to qualify for eligibility of export of autos from Pakistan to the international markets. To qualify for the export, and domestic market environmental emissions, and environment is most import. We all know the Euro standards reflected in terms of Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3, and beyond. Pakistan police, the highway police has procured its vehicles which are Euro 1 diesel vehicles. This is the grade which doesn't exist. Will the authorities concerned see, what standards of Euro our truck, buses fleet are made.
Screw local assemblers!!! Honda Civic gone up to 25lacs!!! wt the hellllll!!!!! put 5 more and get a Mark X!!!! :@ i hate domestic suppliers... when government protects then they take everything for granted!!! lower the duties more and more and you'll cars not less than those in Dubai!!! Paisa Nikalwao Phir Dekho!
In simple words tell me, will price of local cars go down after this change or not?
agree. these oligarchs should be thrown out. they have enough plundered pakistani consumer by selling garbage at a price of Gold. I guess government can make more revenue by bringing a rationalised tariff to imported vehicles then get blackmailed by these garbage sellers and of them especially Suzuki..
About time! Good to see some economic sense, if only these inefficient, greedy car oligarchs let it go through...