AUTOMOBILE INDUSTORY

The auto market is one of the largest segments in world trade. The annual size of automotive export trade in the world has grown to a massive level. Changing models, enlightening fuel efficiency, cutting costs and enhancing user relief without negotiating quality are the most important challenges of the auto industry in a fast globalizing world. Hence there is a need for exploring the industrial complementarities in the region for better quality, favorable costs, fuel efficiency and attractive designs. Therefore, the requirement of information exchange in the region is much more pronounced now than ever before for keeping the auto industry afloat and competitive.

Pakistan overview

Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has been able to transform itself to a large extent, from a completely agrarian economy to a fairly developed techno-industrial base. Besides textiles, Pakistan’s exports are largely manufactured items such as consumer durables and engineering products. However, it is also a fact that Pakistan has not been able to realize its potential due to internal and external compulsions and thus it lags behind many developing countries of the world.

The Group

Atlas Honda Limited is a joint venture between the Atlas Group and Honda Motor Co., Japan. The foundation of the Atlas Group was laid in 1962 with the establishment of Shirazi Investments (Pvt) Limited with a capital of half a million rupees and three men doing business in trading shares and real estate. The growth of the Atlas Group is the result of its focus on good corporate governance. Today Atlas is a diversified group dealing in engineering, financial services and trading. It consists of seven public limited companies out of which six are quoted on the Stock Exchanges in Pakistan, and five private limited companies. Atlas shareholders equity now stands over 25 billion rupees; assets have increased to over 60 billion rupees; personnel strength is over 7000 and annual sales have crossed 60 billion rupees. The Group paid taxes of Rs. 15 billion over 2% of the total government revenues.

All this progress is due to the Group's reliance on the intellectual capital, dedicated efforts and team spirit of all the stakeholders. Every member is striving for excellence and taking pride in the Group's motto:

“Organization Development through Self Development”

Company

AHL is a joint venture between the Atlas Group and Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Japan. The company was created by the merger of Panjdarya Limited and Atlas Autos Ltd. in 1988. Both these motorcycle manufacturing concerns were established by the Atlas Group. In addition, a third concern, Atlas Epak Ltd. was taken over by the Government of Bangladesh in 1971 after the fall of Dhaka. AHL manufactures and markets Honda motorcycles in collaboration with Honda Motor Company. The Company also manufactures various hi-tech components in-house in collaboration with leading parts manufacturers like Showa Atsumitech, Nippon Denso and Toyo Denso. Honda motorcycles are by far the largest selling motorcycles in the country with an unmatched reputation for high quality, reliability and after-sales-service.

AHL has undertaken to develop local manufacturing capabilities to the highest, economically feasible level. While a major role in localization has been assigned to vendor industries, Atlas has the country’s largest in-house manufacturing capability at its Karachi