PAAPAM eyes orders for Fiat Chrysler

MUHAMMAD ALI

KARACHI: Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories (PAAPAM) has expressed optimism to get orders from the American auto parts manufacturer for a new model of Fiat Chrysler, expected to be launched in 2017-18.

Talking to the Business Recorder, Chairman PAAPAM Mashood Ali Khan said that a delegation, which recently returned from a business trip to the USA, Germany, and Italy, had convened meetings with the bigwigs of Fiat Chrysler Automobile Tire 1 manufacturers.

He said that Fiat Chrysler Automobile was planning to introduce a new model in 2017-18, with an expected production of 2 million cars.

He said that PAAPAM was optimistic to get orders from the American auto parts manufacturer for the new model of Fiat Chrysler.

The delegation, which comprised of four Pakistani companies - Thal Engineering, Sherani Engineering, Agriauto Industry and AVT, met with senior members of tier 1 of the parts manufacturers of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the United States, followed by the trips to Electronica Automotive in Munich, Germany, the annual motorcycle show EICMA in Milan and Agri show EIMA in Bologna, Italy.

PAAPAM has been working to increase export of auto parts from Pakistan and making all out efforts to achieve that objective, he said, adding that they had met with several electronic companies in Electronica Automotive in Munich, Germany where they had not only discussed possible joint business ventures but also encouraged them to explore the prospects of working with the Pakistani auto-parts manufacturing industry. During the visit to the EICMA in Milan & EIMA in Bologna, Italy, PAAPAM delegation was also invited by the agricultural auto parts association for further discussion in 2017, he maintained.