Auto sales surge 108% year-on-year in April

ISLAMABAD: Auto sales in Pakistan rose sharply in April 2026, with combined sales of cars, light commercial vehicles, vans, jeeps and electric vehicles reaching 22,000 units, according to data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) and analysed by Arif Habib Limited (AHL) in a report issued on Wednesday.

The latest figures showed that sales were up 108% compared with April last year, indicating a strong year-on-year recovery in the sector. On a month-on-month basis, volumes also posted a notable increase, climbing 42% from March.

According to the AHL analysis of PAMA data, the monthly rise reflected a seasonal rebound after softer activity in March linked to Ramazan. The April performance pointed to a recovery in demand across major vehicle segments.

On a cumulative basis, sales during the first 10 months of FY26 reached 166,100 units, marking an increase of 49% from the same period a year earlier.

The report attributed the growth primarily to a rebound in purchasing activity, continued momentum in auto financing, and firm underlying demand in key segments of the market.

Demand recovery supports volumes

The April numbers suggest that the automobile market continued to build on the recovery seen in recent months. The increase in volumes was recorded across the category covering cars, LCVs, vans, jeeps and EVs, as tracked by PAMA.

Arif Habib Limited said the year-on-year and month-on-month gains were supported by improving buying activity and sustained financing trends, which helped lift sales during the period under review.

The sequential increase of 42% in April followed Ramazan-related softness in March, indicating that seasonal factors had weighed on the previous month’s performance before demand picked up again.

The cumulative 10MFY26 total of 166,100 units also underscored the broader improvement in the sector over the course of the fiscal year so far.

PAMA’s data, as analysed by AHL, covered sales of cars, light commercial vehicles, vans, jeeps and electric vehicles. The latest release adds to signs of sustained recovery in the domestic auto market, with April delivering a particularly strong annual increase.

The figures were released on Wednesday, with the report highlighting both the year-on-year jump and the month-on-month rebound as key indicators of improved market activity.