Pakistan exports first batch of locally assembled Honda City cars to Japan 

ISLAMABAD: Honda Atlas Pakistan has begun exporting completely built-up (CBU) vehicles for the first time, with an initial shipment of 40 Honda City cars sent to Japan. This marks a rare instance of Pakistan exporting cars to a country known for its own strong automotive industry. 

The development is unexpected, given that the Honda City model being exported is no longer sold in many international markets. At the same time, Pakistan continues to import a large number of vehicles from Japan. Still, the move is seen as a positive step for the country’s auto sector, potentially paving the way for further exports in the future. 

In Pakistan, Honda sells five variants of the City, with prices ranging from Rs4.65 million for the base 1.2L manual version to Rs5.85 million for the top-end Aspire CVT 1.5 automatic. 

A ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan. Speaking at the event, he praised Honda Atlas for this achievement and described it as a step towards making Pakistani-assembled vehicles part of the global market. 

He also reiterated the government’s focus on boosting industrial growth through exports, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision. He said the government was committed to supporting the auto sector through policies that encourage production and expansion. 

Industry experts believe this move could help the local auto industry gain recognition abroad, though challenges remain in competing with established global manufacturers. 

 Read next: Gold surges past $3,100 as US tariffs, uncertainty propel safe-haven flows