Officials from the Ministry confirmed that in the initial phase, Pakistan will export 50 locally manufactured SUVs produced by Toyota Indus Motors. This initiative will be followed by the export of Toyota Indus’ Hybrid Corolla Cross in the second phase, further establishing Pakistan’s footprint in the global automotive market.

To support this venture, the Ministry revealed that 100 mechanical engineers have been sent from Pakistan to Japan for advanced training. This strategic move underscores the high regard for Pakistani engineers, recognized internationally for their exceptional skills and expertise.

The announcement comes ahead of a proposed increase in regulatory duties on used imported vehicles, as the federal government is set to present the next financial year’s budget on June 12. According to sources, the regulatory duty on vehicles larger than 1800cc is expected to rise by 30 percent, with the duty on larger vehicles potentially increasing from 70 to 100 percent. For used vehicles up to 1800cc, a 15 percent duty may be imposed, although new and old hybrid vehicles up to 1800cc might still benefit from zero duty.

This regulatory shift is anticipated to make imported used vehicles more expensive, which could drive more demand for locally manufactured cars. As Pakistan is set to export SUVs, this could be an opportune time for the domestic automotive industry to capitalize on both local and international markets, bolstering economic growth and job creation in the sector.

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