PMTF to make auto gearboxes locally
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: The state-run Pakistan Machine Tool Factory (PMTF) on Thursday informed the government that it was ready to make auto gearboxes, which would help the government to save foreign exchange over its imports.
At present all gearboxes were imported and fitted in locally manufactured cars, said Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo in press briefing after National Assembly Standing Committee on Auto Industry here today. “Locally production of gearboxes would help in reduction of car prices in the market,” the minister maintained.
For the first time, the ministry of industry and production presented auto industry to the NA Standing Committee to further strengthening the parliament and its institutions. The minister said that the Committee expressed reservations availability of cars, the ‘own’, which the minister termed as black marketing.
However, the minister said that except Corolla made GLI and XLI all other types of cars were available in the market for sale. Due to shortage of GLI and XLI, the ‘own’ culture (black marketing) is thriving. Defects in locally manufactured cars were also identified and discussed in detail during the meeting and the manufacturers were strictly directed to remove the manufacturing defects.
The minister told journalists that during the meeting it was decided that local auto parts production targets should be ensured at any cost and Suzuki cars prices should be bring down at par with Indian made cars.
According to the minister, the government was planning to review the whole auto industry policy and recommendations of the NA Standing Committee would be accommodated in the new policy. About reduction in prices of Suzuki cars, the minister said that the Committee discussed quality of cars not its prices.
About the Tractor industry, the minister said it doing well and its prices were lower than India made tractors. However, the Millat Tractor 385 was unable to meet its demand. The manufacturer informed the NA Standing Committee that its supply would improve in September 2009. The minister said that there was no duty on import of tractor but the local made tractors were cheaper than imported that was why people prefer to purchase local made tractors.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
Nice. One step at a time, Pakistan is advancing.
I hope for the day when Pakistan will produce a world-class automobile locally and market it worldwide.