Pak Suzuki plans SUV launch in Pakistan, defends Alto’s performance, and warns against imported car policies threatening local industry. The CEO highlights export growth, the biogas project, and commitment to sustainability.
Pak Suzuki CEO Reveals SUV Plans, Defends Alto Performance, and Warns Against Imported Cars Influx
By Imran Malik | MediaBites | July 15, 2025
Lahore: In an exclusive press briefing led by Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, CEO & Managing Director of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL), accompanied by his team — Aamir Shafi (GM Sales & Marketing), Syed Wajahat Ali (GM Marketing & After Sales), and Ikhlaq Virk (GM Head Corporate Affairs) — key insights were shared on the company’s growth, upcoming SUV plans, the performance of Suzuki Alto, and the existential threat posed by imported cars.
Pak Suzuki, with a presence of over 40 years in Pakistan, maintains a strong market share of 45%, contributing significantly to the 20% growth of the automobile industry last year. The company operates the largest nationwide network of 175 dealerships across more than 100 cities, making Suzuki a household name for 2.5 million Pakistani customers.
Q&A Highlights from the Session:
Q: Is the Suzuki Alto technically reliable and motorway-friendly?
The Pak Suzuki team confidently stated that the Alto is a modern, well-equipped car, featuring airbags and other latest safety features. Addressing social media rumors about an incident where an Alto allegedly became unstable when passed by a luxury bus on the motorway, the team clarified that this incident was misreported and not based on verified facts.
Q: Loyal Suzuki customers want an SUV. When will Suzuki launch one?
Pak Suzuki acknowledged that they currently lack an SUV offering, a concern raised by their loyal customers who’ve transitioned from Mehran to Cultus to Liana. The company assured that a Suzuki SUV is in development and will be introduced in the “near future.”
The Marketing Director added that this SUV will be compact, similar in size to the Toyota Raize or Daihatsu Rocky, not a large SUV.
Q: What is Pak Suzuki’s position on the rising imports of Japanese cars?
Mr. Kawamura voiced serious concerns about the government’s policies favoring the liberalization of used vehicle imports, especially with a proposal to increase the permissible age limit of imported cars to five years.
He warned,
“No country with an established auto industry allows such an influx of used vehicles. The domestic industry is operating at just 40% capacity, and further liberalization would be disastrous for local production, vendors, and jobs.”
Although imported vehicles benefit the company globally (since many of these imports are Suzuki vehicles), Kawamura stressed this is dangerous for Pakistan’s local industry, citing Australia’s complete industry collapse due to similar policies.
Q: How is Pak Suzuki contributing to exports?
Pak Suzuki has successfully exported over 3,000 Ravi pickups to Bangladesh and Nepal and has also shipped spare parts and accessories to Europe, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company is actively exploring new markets and testing marketing to expand its export footprint.
Q: What is the current production capacity and output of Pakistan’s auto industry?
While Pakistan’s auto industry has a total annual capacity of 300,000 units, it produced only 140,000 units last year, of which Pak Suzuki accounted for over 60,000 units. This underutilization reflects the pressure on the local industry due to rising imports.
Key Policy & Sustainability Initiatives:
Mr. Kawamura also touched upon the National Tariff Policy 2025-2030, cautioning against reducing import duties on CBU (Completely Built Unit) vehicles to 15%, which would further damage the fragile local manufacturing ecosystem.
He also highlighted Pak Suzuki’s Biogas Project, which aims to convert bio-waste into clean, renewable automobile fuel —a potential game-changer for Pakistan’s trade balance, environmental health, and rural employment.
In conclusion, Mr. Kawamura reaffirmed Pak Suzuki’s deep commitment to Pakistan’s growth, innovation, and sustainability while expressing grave concerns over policy directions that may derail decades of progress.
