Auto makers raise prices.

Byline: Aamir Shafaat Khan

KARACHI -- Despite decAreAAasing cost of imported parts on account of strengthening of the rupee and steep fall in sales during the first five months of this fiscal year, the auto assemblers on Tuesday gave car and bike buyers a fresh shock by jacking up prices.

Pak Suzuki Motor CompAany Ltd (PSMCL), barring Cultus, raised prices of various models by Rs49,000-90,000 effective Jan 1, 2020.

After a jump of Rs80,000-90,000, the new price of Alto VXR and Alto VXL has been fixed at Rs1.398 million and Rs1.598m followed by Rs65,000 and Rs70,000 in WagonR VXR and VXL to Rs1.605m and Rs1.695m respectively.

The price of Suzuki Bolan and Bolan Cargo have been raised by Rs49,000 and Rs50,000 followed by hike of Rs58,000 in Ravi. The price of Swift model has been increased by Rs90,000.

PSMCL had already made two price hikes in Alto660cc first in August by Rs137,000 Rs138,000 in VXR and AGS models and then by Rs70,000-85,000 from Oct 1.

On Dec 9, the price of Suzuki Jimny 1.5L MT was raised by Rs100,000 to Rs3.990m. Prior to this, the company also increased bike prices by Rs3,000-5,000.

PSMCL spokesperson Shafiq Ahmed Sheikh said from all four consecutive quarters till September, the company is continuously posting losses.

As a result, he said, the company has been trying to make moderate price increAase as possible despite massive cost rise caused by rupee...