The robust growth in auto sector in 2009-10 was also contributed by sale of motorcycles (Chinese and Japanese), which excelled with 1.3 million units compared to 850,000 in last fiscal, a Chinese bike maker claimed.

Of the motorcycle sales, makers of Honda motorcycles continued to enjoy a big share with sales hitting 483,151 units in 2009-10 as compared to 349,892 units, while sales of Yamaha bikes also rose to 120,953 units from 66,484. The sale of Suzuki bikes increased to 17,437 units from 15,326.

Ravi bike sold 23,304 units against 18,457, while Hero bikes sold 36,166 units against 19,818 earlier.

Meanwhile, an official of the Engineering Development Board (EDB) told Dawn from Islamabad that the bike sales had already reached 1.2 million units up to May 2010, while figures for the full year were being compiled.

Association of Pakistan Motorcycle Assemblers (APMA) Chairman Mohammad Sabir Shaikh said bike sale figures of 2008-09 were 850,000 units.

He said the price increase in the last one year had not affected the sales of bikes as a big demand of two wheelers originated from growers in the rural areas after a good crop of wheat, cotton, and rice etc.

He said that some persons, who got money under the Benazir Income Support Programme, had preferred purchasing bikes on installment basis.

Due to higher public transport charges after increase in fares many people decided to switch over to the two wheelers, he added.

The Japanese bike becomes dearer by one per cent following increase in GST to 17 per cent from July 1, 2010, while the Chinese bike makers also pushed up the rate by Rs500 to Rs1,000 per unit.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/business/19-record-sale-of