A Long Road to a Faster Lane?
Zeenat Chaudhary on how the automotive industry will fare in these uncertain times.
Ever since Karl Benz invented the world’s first motor car in 1886 – the Benz Patent-Motorwagen – the automotive industry has come a long way. From hi-tech Hondas and Chryslers to electric Teslas and Nios, the global industry contributes roughly three percent to all GDP output. Due to the pandemic, however, worldwide car sales have taken a hit and are expected to fall from $74.9 million in 2019 to under $62 million in 2020, according to Statista.
Industry Overview
In Pakistan, the automotive industry, which contributes 2.8% to the country’s GDP (source: Invest Pakistan), has faced a cycle of booms and busts since the 2000s. In fact, the auto industry was on a downward trend before Covid-19 struck, primarily due to rising taxes (Federal Excise Duty increased from 2.5% to 7.5% and Additional Customs Duty by seven percent) and the rupee’s depreciation against th