ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has a piece of good news for automobile lovers, especially SUV lovers; the Ministry of Industries and Production has declared Pakistan to start exporting SUVs and other cars in the coming months.

In the first phase of this partnership, fifty colour SUVs which are locally produced in Toyota Indus Motors will be exported to Vietnam. This has marked a significant history in the growth of automotive industry in the country. Further, the Ministry of Industries and Production has officially stated that one hundred mechanical engineers of Pakistan have been enrolled and dispatched to Japan for further studies.

This working force was described by the ministry as one of the most skilled and professional working force from Pakistan available in Japan. This acknowledgment has recognized the pzopotential of Pakistani engineers and their contribution in automotive sezctor.

As earlier stated in the news dated June 4, the federal government is plotting to hike the regulatory duty of imported used second-hand vehicles. These changes may possibly be included in the upcoming federal budget which is to be laid down on June 12.

As per the available news, there has been some information that recently there has been increase in the regulatory duty on vehicles with capacity above 1800CC by 30 percent. For the large sized vehicles it could still range from 70 to 100 percent duty. For instance, a 15% duty may have to be charged on imported used vehicle with engine capacity not exceeding 1800cc while duty free structure may persist for new and imported old models of hybrid vehicles not exceeding 1800cc.

This may lead to even higher regulatory duty for imported used vehicles as Pakistan to start exporting SUVs hence an increased cost for the vehicles in the country.

Under the second part of the export plan, there are also Toyota Indus Hybrid Corolla Cross models of cars that will be exported. This prospect demonstrates the possibility of a bright future for Pakistan that it will be able to export automobiles.