It’s been a long series of months car and bikes makers are announcing back-to-back production shutdowns in the face of not-enough inventory. Even the incumbent Kakar-led interim government seems unable to fix the issue, thanks to the not-well thought monetary policies leading prevailing economic fuss.

In a recent update, Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSX: PSMC) has notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange that it will temporarily halt motorcycle production at its plant for a period of three days. This decision was made and communicated by the automaker on Tuesday.

The company further informed, “Due to shortage of inventory level, the management of the company has decided to shut down the motorcycle plant from September 20, 2023, to September 22, 2023. However, the automobile plant will remain operative. Further update, if any, in this regard will be communicated accordingly.”

Pak Suzuki & Production Shutdowns

Throughout 2023, the Japanese automaker has made multiple announcements regarding temporary shutdowns. In the previous month, it declared that its motorcycle plant would remain closed from August 18 to August 31. Subsequently, on August 31, the company extended the shutdown period until September 12, and later, on September 12, it further extended the closure until September 15.

In July, June, and May, the company made the same announcements where reasons cited for these non-production days were including low inventory levels and a shortage of raw materials.

Pakistan Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) is considered as the largest automobile manufacturer in the country in terms of production and sales. And unfortunately, the auto maker has faced significant declines in both sales and revenue due to these intermittent production pauses. And the reason behind these NPDs (non-production days) is import curbs inflicted by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Since 2022, the industry as a whole has expressed concerns about difficulties in obtaining import permits for meeting their production quotas.

What’s your take regarding the industry’s ongoing situation? Tell us in the comments section.