LAHORE: A large number of car-lovers have thronged to observe Pakistan Auto Show 2016, being held at the Expo Centre.
Organised by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), it features more than 135 international & local Auto-manufacturers and related enterprises and showcases the vast potential of Pakistan’s robust Automotive industry. It also features numerous insightful training sessions where industry experts are providing technology updates and authentic knowledge to the thousands of professionals and visitors thronging the exhibition.
On 2nd day of the Show among the high profile visitors Federal Secretary for Industry, Italian Ambassador in Pakistan – Stefano, Co-chairman of Auto policy Committee ECC, – Zubair witnessed the exhibition. Furthermore, Ali Zafar, the brand Ambassador of Yamaha also visited the expo centre.
The Chief Organizer of the Pakistan Auto Show 2016 – Syed Nabeel Hashmi appreciated the overwhelming response of the stakeholders and stated that: The PSDC Seminars and Workshops being held during the Auto Show are a great attraction for the industry professionals. Conducted by very learned speakers these sessions will disseminate high-valued information. The session topics include: “Quality Function Deployment, Cost Effective Customized Solutions, Materials for Auto Manufacturing, Exhaust Plume Flow Visualization for Qualitative Analysis of Engine Combustion Performance, Motion Control of Future Electric Vehicle fitted with In-Wheel, Intersection of Research and Commercialization, Addressing 2 & 3 wheeler problems, Development of Auto Parts Sector by SMEDA, Automotive Crashworthiness, Wise Decisions on Cost of Quality, and Developing Exporting Skills.
PAAPAM Chairman Mumshad Ali commented that the association is committed to play a key role as the binding force for the Auto industry. Since its incorporation in the year 1999, PAAPAM has successfully grown to 292 registered members. The estimated number of Parts-Manufacturers in Pakistan includes; 670 units in Tier One, 900 units in Tier Two and 1300 units in Tier Three.
This industry comprises of 500,000 skilled workers as Direct Employees and 2.4 million indirect employees (Total 2.9 million). With an Investments volume of Rs.270 billion, this industry contributes a revenue of Rs 110 billion per annum to the national exchequer. It has achieved an Import substitution worth US$ 3.3 billion per annum and an Exports volume of US$ 110 million per annum.
The SVC of PAAPAM – Mashood Ali Khan stated that; As the demand for automobiles is expected to rise continuously over the next 3-5 years, the big challenge for Pakistan is to nurture local assemblers & vendors and rapidly generate investments in capacity building to meet the sharply rising demand. The base of Engineering Technologies in this industry is spread across; Sheet Metal Parts, Plastic Injection and Blow Molding, Rubber Components, Steel Forging & machining, Foundry / Castings, Aluminum Die Casting & machining and Electrical & Electronics, so we need to work on multiple fronts to achieve our growth objectives, while consistently maintaining the quality of our products.
The Vice Chairman of PAAPAM – Mahmood Alam Sherani stated that; This industry has already achieved a high level of localization, whereby it boasts: 75% localization in Cars & HCVs, 96% in Tractors, 96% in Motorcycles and 80% in Three Wheelers. Its products are being exported to; The European Union, USA, African Countries and all over Asia. The Annual production in 2015 had reached; 180,000 cars, 1.8 million motorcycles, 4000 Trucks, 600 Busses, 47,000 Tractors and 50,000 Three wheelers.
