LAHORE  - As the Pakistan Auto Show 2018 entered its 2nd day on Saturday, large crowds continued to gather and seek valuable information and knowledge. The grand event being held at the Expo Centre in Lahore, which started on Friday, will conclude on Sunday (today).

Organized by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), it features more than 200 international & local auto-manufacturers and related enterprises and showcases the vast potential of Pakistan’s robust automotive industry. It also features numerous insightful training sessions where industry experts are providing technology updates and authentic knowledge to thousands of professionals and visitors thronging the exhibition.

The chief organizer of the Pakistan Auto Show 2018, Syed Nabeel Hashmi appreciated the overwhelming response of the stakeholders and stated: “The PSDC seminars and workshops being held during the auto show are a great attraction for industry professionals. Conducted by very learned speakers these sessions will disseminate high-valued information.”

The chairman of PAAPAM, Iftikhar Ahmad commented, “PAAPAM is committed to playing a key role as the binding force for the auto industry. Since its incorporation in the year 1999, PAAPAM has successfully grown to 319 registered members. The estimated number of parts-manufacturers in Pakistan includes: 770 units in Tier One, 900 units in Tier Two and 1400 units in Tier Three.”

The SVC of PAAPAM, Ashraf Sheikh said, “As the demand for automobiles is expected to rise continuously over the next 3-5 years, the big challenge for Pakistan is to nurture local assemblers & vendors and rapidly generate investments in capacity building to meet the sharply rising demand.

The base of engineering technologies in this industry is spread across; sheet metal parts, plastic injection and blow molding, rubber components, steel forging & machining, foundry/castings, aluminum die casting & machining and electrical & electronics, so we need to work on multiple fronts to achieve our growth objectives, while consistently maintaining the quality of our products.”

Former chairman PAAPAM, Mohammed Saleem stated, “This industry has already achieved a high level of localization, whereby it boasts: 75% localization in cars & HCVs, 96% in tractors, 96% in motorcycles and 80% in three wheelers. Its products are being exported to the European Union, USA, African countries and all over Asia.”