Pakistan's imports of both completely knocked-down (CKD) and completely built-up (CBU) motor vehicles increased during fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting changes in automotive manufacturing activity, consumer demand and market conditions, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The latest figures indicate increased activity across the country's automotive sector, with higher imports supporting local vehicle assembly as well as demand for fully imported vehicles.

CKD vehicle imports nearly double

According to PBS data, Pakistan imported CKD motor vehicles worth US$ 2.1 billion during FY2025-26, compared with US$ 1.1 billion in FY2024-25. This represents a 92.23% year-on-year increase. CKD kits are imported by local automobile manufacturers for assembly within Pakistan. The increase suggests that vehicle assemblers imported more kits during the fiscal year to support production requirements and inventory levels.

The increase also coincided with higher activity across the automotive sector compared with previous years. Monthly CKD imports rose to US$ 241 million in June 2026, compared with US$ 185 million in May 2026, representing a 30.19% month-on-month increase. The higher level of imports is expected to support the production of passenger cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), light commercial vehicles and other vehicle categories in the coming months as local manufacturers continue assembly operations.

Industry analysts stated that the increase in CKD imports reflects changing conditions in Pakistan's automotive market. Vehicle demand, supply-chain conditions and financing availability are among the factors believed to have contributed to higher imports of components and vehicle kits.

The increase also coincides with the introduction of new vehicle models and rising consumer interest in hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles, leading manufacturers to adjust production levels. As CKD kits are assembled locally, higher imports generally contribute to manufacturing activity, employment and activity across Pakistan's automotive supply chain.

CBU vehicle imports increase

Imports of completely built-up (CBU) motor vehicles also increased during FY2025-26. According to PBS data, Pakistan imported fully assembled vehicles worth US$ 377 million during the fiscal year, compared with US$ 278 million in FY2024-25, representing a 35.79% year-on-year increase.

The increase reflects demand for imported passenger cars, luxury vehicles, SUVs and other fully assembled automobiles. Industry analysts attributed the rise to market conditions, supply-chain developments and the availability of a wider range of vehicle models.

Unlike CKD kits, CBU vehicles are imported in fully assembled form and are ready for sale without requiring local assembly. Monthly imports of CBU vehicles increased towards the end of the fiscal year. Imports rose to US$ 70 million in June 2026 from US$ 24 million in May 2026, representing a 183% month-on-month increase.

The increase suggests that importers raised shipments towards the end of the fiscal year in response to vehicle demand. It may also reflect the arrival of previously booked consignments and dealership demand for premium and specialised vehicles.

Higher imports of fully built vehicles also indicate continued consumer interest in premium brands, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid models and vehicles that are not manufactured locally. Despite factors such as exchange-rate fluctuations and financing costs, imports of fully assembled vehicles continued during the fiscal year.

Outlook

The latest PBS figures indicate that Pakistan's automotive sector recorded higher imports of both CKD and CBU vehicles during FY2025-26. Higher CKD imports indicate increased local assembly activity, while higher CBU imports reflect demand for imported vehicles, including premium models.

Future import trends are expected to depend on domestic vehicle demand, exchange-rate movements, government automotive and import policies, financing availability and the introduction of new vehicle models. Investment in local assembly operations is also expected to remain a factor influencing activity within Pakistan's automotive industry.