LAHORE: Pakistani-assembled vehicles, the Pak Suzuki Alto and Suzuki Every, have officially entered the international market of Brunei, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s automobile manufacturing industry and its export capabilities.
According to economic analyst Munawar Mirza, Brunei is a wealthy, export-driven Southeast Asian country known for its high per capita income and vast oil and gas reserves. The export will now provide Bruneian consumers access to Pakistan’s most popular and compact vehicles.
Mirza added that the arrival of these entry-level, fuel-efficient vehicles in Brunei not only opens access to international markets for Pakistani cars, but also creates new opportunities for local manufacturers to explore regional and global markets.
A Milestone for Pakistan’s Auto Sector Economic expert Junaid Khan called it a significant milestone for Pakistan. He said the export of Pak Suzuki vehicles to Brunei shows that Pakistan’s auto sector is moving forward. However, he stressed that Pakistan should focus on full manufacturing, not just assembly.
“We are not manufacturing cars, we are assembling them. We need to move toward manufacturing and introduce public transport vehicles first so that ordinary citizens can benefit,” Khan said.
He gave the example that if public transport improves, a worker living in Landhi who commutes to New Karachi for work would benefit greatly from affordable, reliable local vehicles.
Economic expert Rashid Khan said supplying Pakistani vehicles to a strong economy like Brunei will help reduce Pakistan’s trade deficit.
The move is a step in the right direction to earn foreign exchange through export promotion. He added that the international popularity of these vehicles proves that cars assembled in Pakistan can meet global standards, which will increase confidence in Pak Suzuki and other local companies worldwide.
Auto industry expert Muhammad Shahzad said this success will encourage other auto manufacturers to expand exports to regional and international markets, further strengthening industrial activity in the country. He noted that Pakistan should have focused on manufacturing earlier, but even now, shifting from assembly to manufacturing can help Pakistan establish its place globally.
He urged focus on “Made in Pakistan”, easier policies for local manufacturers, and investment in raw materials. He added that one reason for assembly over manufacturing is that producing some parts locally is more expensive than importing them. The export of Alto and Every to Brunei is being seen as the first step toward positioning Pakistani-assembled vehicles in more international markets.
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