KARACHI: Master Changan Motors Ltd (MCML) has become the first company to export Made-in-Pakistan 14 Oshan X7 SUVs to Kenya for onward sale to Kenyan and Tanzanian markets.
Last year, the first sample unit was also exported to a country in the Oceania region. This major milestone was achieved on the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), thus setting an example of the deep economic cooperation between the two countries.
At a ceremony held at MCML’s Port Qasim plant on Thursday, CEO Danial Malik said Kenya and Tanzania are one of the many countries where MCML plans to leave its mark and looks to expand export volumes.
Changan Automobile China, he said, plans to invest $10 billion in the overseas market, with a product focus on intelligent low-carbon core technology. Changan’s focus is to increase its global footprint to Europe, America, Middle-East and Africa, Asia Pacific and CIS, entering 90pc of the global markets by 2030.
As Changan’s right-hand drive (RHD) manufacturing hub, Master Changan Pakistan will play a major role in Changan’s ‘Vast Ocean’ plan to cater to RHD markets globally.
He said the export of “Made in Pakistan” vehicles is completely dependent on the federal government’s policies to promote and incentivise the automotive industry. To this end, Pakistan’s automotive industry has already submitted proposals to help make auto exports viable in the long term.
Mr Danial said the auto industry needs the government to create policies that increase volumes locally which in turn would improve economies of scale, support deeper localisation and encourage automakers to improve their global competitiveness.
Pakistan’s automobile industry currently contributes 2.8 percent to its GDP and around Rs30 billion to the national exchequer in terms of annual taxes and duties. It has also been facing serious challenges due to rising dollar-rupee disparity and high costs of doing business which have led to increasing automobile prices in the country.
