By Ijaz Kakakhel

Sales and purchases of vehicles excluding two- and three-wheelers stood at 20,990 units in May 2026, lower than April’s 25,663 units but significantly higher than the 17,051 units recorded in December 2025, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data available with Wealth Pakistan.

The data shows that Pakistan’s automobile industry delivered a mixed performance during the first five months of 2026, with strong growth in utility vehicles and two-wheelers helping offset fluctuations in other segments. Industry figures indicate that overall demand remained resilient despite varying trends across vehicle categories.

The passenger car segment remained the largest contributor to sales, with 13,211 units sold in May. Although this was below the January peak of 18,602 units, demand remained considerably stronger than levels recorded at the end of last year.

Among commercial vehicles, truck sales reached 644 units in May, recovering from the March low of 488 units. Industry analysts attribute the improvement to infrastructure activity and increased freight movement. Bus sales, however, remained weak, declining to 70 units in May from 99 units in January.

The utility vehicle segment emerged as one of the strongest performers during the period. Sales of jeeps and pickups reached 4,449 units in May, nearly double the 2,609 units sold in December 2025. Rising consumer preference for multi-purpose vehicles and continued demand from rural and semi-urban markets supported the segment’s growth.

Tractor sales also showed relative stability, reaching 2,616 units in May. While lower than December’s 3,399 units, the segment recovered from the February low of 1,850 units, supported by agricultural activity and rural purchasing demand.

The two- and three-wheeler market continued to dominate overall industry volumes. Sales in this category reached 172,433 units in May, compared with 160,408 units in December. The segment recorded its highest monthly sales in April at 191,635 units before moderating in May, indicating sustained demand for affordable transportation.

On the production side, manufacturers largely matched output with market demand. Total vehicle production excluding two- and three-wheelers stood at 19,489 units in May.

Passenger car production accounted for the largest share, at 11,800 units, while jeep and pickup production remained strong at 4,281 units.

Truck and bus production remained relatively stable, reaching 633 and 72 units in May, respectively. Tractor production also held steady at 2,703 units.

Meanwhile, production of two- and three-wheelers totalled 170,458 units in May. Although lower than April’s 193,925 units, output remained well above December levels, reflecting manufacturers’ confidence in continued consumer demand.

The latest figures suggest that while overall vehicle sales moderated from April highs, demand for utility vehicles, tractors and two-wheelers continued to support the automobile sector, highlighting the importance of rural markets and affordable mobility solutions in sustaining industry growth.

Credit: INP-WealthPk