Automotive & EV Desk | April 2026 | 3 min read
| ⚡ Quick Takeaways
• Total car, LCV, van and jeep sales fell 9% month-on-month to 15,531 units in March 2026. • Passenger car sales dropped 12% MoM — with the 1000cc segment taking the steepest hit at -36%. • Electric vehicle sales surged 61% MoM to 53 units, bucking the broader market decline. • Despite the monthly dip, year-on-year auto sales remain 40% higher than March 2025 levels. • Cumulative 9MFY26 sales reached 144,029 units — a 43% increase over the same period last year. |
Pakistan’s automobile market delivered a split verdict in March 2026: conventional car sales pulled back sharply month-on-month, while electric vehicles posted their strongest monthly gain in recent data. The divergence offers an early but notable signal of shifting consumer preferences — and raises questions about whether the EV uptick is the beginning of a structural trend or simply a volatile move in a still-tiny segment.
March 2026 — Key Figures
| Metric | March 2026 | Change |
| Total Cars, LCVs, Vans & Jeeps | 15,531 Units | ↓ 9% MoM | ↑ 40% YoY |
| Passenger Cars | 11,702 Units | ↓ 12% MoM | ↑ 44% YoY |
| Electric Vehicles | 53 Units | ↑ 61% MoM | ↑ 15% YoY |
Conventional Car Sales: A Broad-Based Monthly Pullback
Sales of passenger cars, LCVs, vans, and jeeps combined fell to 15,531 units in March — a 9 percent decline from February’s 17,121 units. The drop was concentrated in the passenger car segment, which slipped 12 percent month-on-month to 11,702 units.
Within the passenger car breakdown, the 1000cc category saw the sharpest contraction, falling 36 percent to just 294 units. Vehicles below 1000cc declined 18 percent to 4,961 units, while the larger 1300cc and above segment held up relatively better with a 6 percent month-on-month fall to 6,447 units. The steeper declines in smaller engine categories suggest that price-sensitive buyers — who dominate the sub-1000cc and entry-level segments — are pulling back more sharply, possibly in response to financing costs or affordability pressures.
| 📊 Year-on-Year Picture Remains Strong
Despite the monthly softness, March 2026 passenger car sales were still 44% higher than March 2025. On a cumulative nine-month basis, the cars, LCVs, vans and jeeps segment reached 144,029 units — up 43% year-on-year. The MoM decline should be read against a backdrop of broader annual recovery. |
EVs: 61% Monthly Jump — Small Numbers, Big Signal
Electric vehicle sales rose from 33 units in February to 53 units in March — a 61 percent month-on-month increase. In absolute terms the numbers are modest, but the directional move is significant: while every conventional vehicle category declined or barely held flat, EVs were the market’s standout performer.
On a year-on-year basis, EV sales were up 253 percent from the 15 units recorded in March 2025. LCVs, vans and jeeps provided a secondary bright spot, edging up 1 percent month-on-month to 3,776 units — suggesting commercial vehicle demand remained more resilient than private passenger car buying.
| ⚠️ Context on EV Numbers
At 53 units, EVs represent a fraction of Pakistan’s total auto sales. The 61% MoM surge is meaningful directionally but can be amplified by a low base. Consistent multi-month growth — rather than single-month spikes — will be the real indicator of structural EV adoption in the Pakistani market. |
Full Segment Breakdown — March 2026 vs February & March 2025
| Segment | Mar-26 (Units) | Feb-26 (Units) | MoM % | Mar-25 (Units) | YoY % |
| Passenger Cars | 11,702 | 13,355 | ↓12% | 8,130 | ↑44% |
| — 1300cc & Above | 6,447 | 6,833 | ↓6% | 4,488 | ↑44% |
| — Below 1000cc | 4,961 | 6,062 | ↓18% | 3,451 | ↑44% |
| — 1000cc | 294 | 460 | ↓36% | 194 | ↑52% |
| LCVs, Vans & Jeeps | 3,776 | 3,733 | ↑1% | 2,968 | ↑27% |
| Electric Vehicles | 53 | 33 | ↑61% | 15 | ↑253% |
| Two Wheelers | 163,156 | 155,573 | ↑5% | 124,424 | ↑31% |
| Three Wheelers | 3,477 | 3,939 | ↓12% | 3,200 | ↑9% |
| Total (All) | 185,738 | 179,014 | ↑4% | 140,735 | ↑32% |
DISCLAIMER: All information in this article is based on publicly available data and official statements. This content is intended for general informational purposes only.
