Islamabad ( Pakistan news) In a bid to stabilize the economy and generate additional revenue, Pakistani authorities have introduced significant tax hikes, affecting the automotive sector.
The increased withholding taxes (WHT) and registration fees have particularly impacted the entry-level car segment, including popular Suzuki models such as the Alto, Cultus, WagonR, and Swift.
The new tax structure places a heavier financial burden on buyers, especially non-filers, making car ownership more challenging for middle-class consumers. Here’s a breakdown of the latest prices and associated taxes for these vehicles.
Current Prices of Suzuki Vehicles
Suzuki Alto: Starting from Rs 2,331,000.
Suzuki Cultus: Ranging from Rs 3,858,000 (VXR model) to Rs 4,546,000 (VXL-AGS).
Suzuki Swift: Priced between Rs 4,336,000 (GL variant) and Rs 4,719,000 (GLX-CVT variant).
Tax Comparison for Filers and Non-Filers
Model            For Filers (PKR)      For Non-Filers (PKR)
Suzuki Alto
Alto VXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 11,655Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 34,965
Alto VXRÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 13,535Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 40,605
Alto VXR-AGSÂ Â Â Â Â Â 14,470Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 43,410
Alto VXL-AGSÂ Â Â Â Â Â 15,225Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 45,675
Suzuki Cultus
Cultus VXRÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 38,580Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 115,740
Cultus VXLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 42,440Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 127,320
Cultus VXL-AGSÂ Â Â Â Â Â 45,460Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 136,380
Suzuki Swift
Swift GLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 65,040Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 195,120
Swift GL (CVT)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 68,400Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 205,200
Swift GLX (CVT)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 70,785Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 212,355
Swift GLX (Two Tone)Â Â Â Â 70,785Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 212,355
The tax hike is expected to directly affect vehicle affordability, especially for non-filers who face up to three times higher taxes compared to filers. Additionally, resale values of these vehicles may also see fluctuations, creating further challenges for potential buyers.
Industry experts suggest that the government’s strategy is part of a broader plan to tackle inflation and fiscal deficits. However, the increased cost of new vehicles is likely to deter middle-class consumers and further slow down automotive sales in the country.
For many Pakistanis, owning a car has become more difficult due to the escalating prices and tax obligations, casting uncertainty over the future of the automotive market.