By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD plans to roll out its first car assembled in Pakistan by July or August 2026, aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the region, Reuters reported said on Wednesday.
BYD, the world’s leading maker of electric vehicles, is accelerating its expansion beyond China, where it faces a bruising price war. The new plant in Pakistan reflects the company’s push into emerging markets to meet rising demand and leverage government incentives, positioning it to strengthen its global footprint.
The facility, under construction since April near Karachi, is a joint effort between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Hub Power. Danish Khaliq, vice president of sales and strategy at BYD Pakistan, outlined the plans in an interview with Reuters.
The Karachi plant will initially have the capacity to produce 25,000 units annually on a double shift, Khaliq said, though he did not specify when it would reach full capacity or when mass production would begin. Operations will start by assembling imported parts, complemented by some local production of non-electric components.
Initially, the plant will focus on serving Pakistan’s domestic market. However, Khaliq noted potential for exports to other right-hand drive countries in the region, contingent on freight costs and business economics.
“We do not foresee excess capacity in our system as demand in Pakistan will catch up,” Khaliq said, signaling confidence in the market’s growth potential.
BYD entered Pakistan in March with imported EVs, delivering a few hundred cars. While Khaliq did not provide exact sales figures, he said the company had exceeded internal targets by 30%. A filing from Hubco revealed that BYD Pakistan posted a profit of approximately Rs444 million in the March quarter of 2025, underscoring its early financial success.
Looking ahead, Khaliq projected significant growth for Pakistan’s EV and plug-in hybrid market, expecting it to expand three to four times in 2025 from around 1,000 units in 2024. BYD aims to secure a 30-35% share of this segment, he added.
On Friday, BYD will introduce its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup truck in Pakistan, bolstering its lineup. The company isn’t alone in eyeing this market—Chinese rival MG already sells a plug-in hybrid SUV locally, while Haval is gearing up to enter the segment soon.
Plug-in hybrids are gaining traction in Pakistan, where a scarcity of charging stations limits the appeal of fully electric vehicles. To address this, the government cut power tariffs for EV chargers by 45% in January, a move aimed at boosting adoption and encouraging private investment in charging infrastructure.
BYD’s investment in Pakistan aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond China, where intense competition has squeezed margins. By establishing a manufacturing presence in emerging markets like Pakistan, the company seeks to tap into new demand pools and take advantage of local incentives, reinforcing its position as a global EV leader.
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