KARACHI: Passenger car sales in the country increased by 19 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in May 2026, data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) showed on Thursday.
On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, sales declined by 24 per cent against 17,387 units recorded in April 2026.Total passenger car sales rose to 13,211 units in May 2026 from 11,143 units sold in the same month last year. For the first 11 months of FY26 (July 2025 to May 2026), cumulative passenger car sales rose by 48 per cent to 140,253 units against 94,544 units recorded during the same period last year.
Auto sector expert Mashood Ali Khan said the automobile industry is on a recovery trajectory in 2026, with car sales surpassing last year’s figures across most segments, though the coveted 200,000-unit annual benchmark remains out of reach until next year.
He said that small cars have staged a strong comeback, Toyota has regained momentum, and Haval volumes are near peak levels. Demand for conventional ICE vehicles remains sustained alongside growing interest in EVs and hybrids.
He said the incoming Auto Policy and federal budget, effective July 2026, will be decisive. A key test will be whether the new policy compels Chinese and Korean entrants to raise localisation levels toward the 65-70 per cent achieved by Honda, Suzuki and Toyota, a shift that could reduce consumer prices and strengthen the local SME supply chain.
Sales of 1,300cc and above cars declined 4.0 per cent to 6,533 units in May 2026 from 6,778 units in May 2025. The 1,000cc segment recorded sales of 255 units, broadly flat against 252 units during the same month last year. Below-1,000cc vehicles recorded sales of 6,393 units, up 65 per cent against 3,865 units in May 2025. In May 2026, sales of the Dewan Honri-Ve electric vehicle reached 30 units compared with 24 units in May 2025, a rise of 25 per cent.
Among 1,300cc and above models, Suzuki Swift was the standout performer with sales surging 109 per cent to 1,656 units from 792 units. Honda Civic and City sales rose 4.0 per cent to 1,952 units from 1,870 units. Hyundai Elantra sales rose 16 per cent to 209 units from 180 units. Toyota's combined Corolla, Yaris and Corolla Cross sales declined 30 per cent to 2,685 units from 3,814 units. Hyundai Sonata sales fell 75 per cent to 31 units from 122 units.
In the 1,000cc category, Suzuki Cultus sales were flat at 255 units against 252 units in May 2025.In the below-1,000cc segment, Suzuki Alto sales surged 75 per cent to 5,964 units from 3,409 units. Suzuki Every recorded sales of 429 units against 456 units in May 2025, a decline of 6 per cent.
Sales of jeeps and pickups rose 21 per cent YoY to 4,449 units in May 2026 from 3,692 units in May 2025. Haval (Sazgar) posted sales of 1,249 units against 915 units, up 37 per cent. Honda BR-V and HR-V sales more than doubled to 278 units from 135 units, a rise of 106 per cent. Toyota Fortuner and IMVs declined 20 per cent to 811 units from 1,015 units. Hyundai Tucson sales fell 50 per cent to 287 units from 569 units.
Sales of trucks and buses rose 17 per cent to 714 units in May 2026 from 610 units in May 2025.Farm tractor sales rose 67 per cent year-on-year to 2,616 units in May 2026 from 1,569 units in May 2025. Cumulative tractor sales for the 11 months of FY26 stood at 25,732 units against 26,401 units in the corresponding period last year, a marginal decline of 3.0 per cent.
Sales of motorcycles and three-wheelers increased by 13 per cent year-on-year to 172,433 units in May 2026 from 152,287 units in May 2025. Atlas Honda recorded sales of 150,011 units, up 15 per cent from 130,240 units in May 2025. Suzuki motorcycle sales rose 21 per cent to 3,452 units from 2,854 units.
Myesha Sohail at Topline Research said the YoY rise was driven by new market entrants, new product launches, relatively lower inflation in previous months, and a surge in auto financing.MoM decline was driven by fewer working days in May due to Eidul Azha holidays, leading to delayed deliveries. Some market speculation around a potential tax rate cut was also circulating, which may have further slowed sales, she said. Myesha said, “We expect positive momentum in auto sales to continue in FY27F, supported by new variants and brand entering the market.”
