Auto financing improves further on rate cuts, arrival of new variants

The falling interest rate has further raised auto financing to Rs249 billion at the end of February from Rs241.6bn in January. Buyers are turning towards leasing by the banks for new and used vehicles after a steep drop in interest rate to 12 per cent from 22pc in the last eight months. Auto financing started improving in August 2024, when it was Rs227.3bn. In June 2022, auto financing was at its peak of Rs368bn. Topline Securities Chief Executive Mohammed Sohail said car financing will continue to rise amid falling interest rates. “After many years, we are seeing sharp recovery in the auto sales,” he added. Cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and pickup sales are already going strong and may remain upbeat in the coming months due to price and exchange rate stability, improved consumer confidence, and the introduction of new variants and models.