Muhammad Saleem

Manufacturing of Chinese motorcycles has also led to large-scale production of affordable spare parts locally, benefiting a major segment of Pakistani population, who use two-wheelers for commute. Naveed Ahmed, a motorcycle mechanic, said dealers of Chinese spare parts were doing a roaring business due to surging sales. “Local copies of such parts are also being prepared keeping in view their growing demand and profit margins,” he said. “We recommend Chinese spare parts to our customers due to their affordability and durability. We can safely say that Chinese motorcycle parts are transforming lives of the poor segments,” he added. Shahbaz Ahmed, who works as a salesman at a confectionery, said he travelled a lot to get orders from shopkeepers. He said his motorcycle needed maintenance and replacement of parts. He said Chinese spare parts were less costly compared to those of Japanese brands. “Buying Chinese spare parts puts little strain on my wallet.”

A labour department inspector, who gave his name only as Ali, said certain elements might be involved in producing counterfeit Chinese motorcycle spare parts, and promised action against them. When asked how many such illegal units the labour department had unearthed so far, Ali declined to share the details citing confidentiality. “We must acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Chinese companies for introducing such low-cost products sensing the buying capacity of the Pakistani people,” Naveed Ahmed, the motorcycle mechanic, said. “From small electric coils to mudguards and other parts, everything is being produced by the Chinese manufacturers.” Motorcycles, serving as an important mode of transportation, are the lifeline for a large number of people.

Naseer Kashif, who registered his motorcycle with a company providing transportation on-demand, told WealthPK that due to the surging prices of oil, commuters were not ready to pay higher rent rates. He credited Chinese motorcycle spare parts for playing a crucial role in reducing costs.  Javed Ahmed, a spare parts dealer, said, “Despite inflation, there has been a surge in demand for these parts due to their durability and affordability.” He said motorcyclists struggled with maintenance costs, but affordable Chinese parts have helped resolve this problem. He said the major advantage of Chinese motorcycle parts was their compatibility with a wide range of motorcycle models.

Credit: INP-WealthPk