KARACHI (The Thursday Times) — Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, the world’s leading EV producer by volume, is set to begin local assembly operations in Pakistan by mid-2026, in a move designed to tap into the country’s nascent but rapidly growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
According to Danish Khaliq, Vice President of Sales and Strategy at BYD Pakistan, the company plans to roll out its first Pakistan-assembled vehicle by July or August 2026. The local assembly plant, currently under construction near Karachi since April, is a joint venture between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO), one of Pakistan’s largest energy firms.
Initially, the plant will operate on a double-shift basis, producing up to 25,000 units per year. While mass production timelines remain unspecified, the facility will begin by assembling semi-knocked down (SKD) units, using imported electric vehicle components alongside some locally manufactured non-electric parts. The vehicles produced will initially serve the domestic market, though Khaliq noted there is potential to export to right-hand drive markets in the region, depending on logistics and economic viability.
“We do not foresee excess capacity in our system as demand in Pakistan will catch up,” Khaliq said in an interview, pointing to a robust outlook for EV adoption across the country.
BYD’s entry into Pakistan’s automotive sector is part of a broader strategy to expand in emerging markets, particularly as it faces intense price competition in its domestic Chinese market. The Pakistani government has sought to incentivise EV uptake through policy measures, including a 45% reduction in power tariffs for EV charging stations introduced in January.
BYD began selling imported electric vehicles in Pakistan earlier this year, with initial deliveries starting in March. Although the company declined to disclose precise figures, Khaliq confirmed that sales had surpassed internal forecasts by around 30%, with a few hundred vehicles sold to date.
Pakistan’s EV and plug-in hybrid market, currently in its infancy, is projected to undergo significant growth. From an estimated 1,000 units sold in 2024, Khaliq anticipates that the segment will expand three- to fourfold in 2025. BYD is targeting a 30–35% share of this growing sector.
Financial disclosures from HUBCO reveal that BYD Pakistan reported a profit of 444 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $1.56 million) for the March 2025 quarter, underscoring the financial viability of its early operations.
This Friday, the company will launch the Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid pickup truck that marks its third model offering in Pakistan. Competitor brands such as MG and Haval are also entering the plug-in hybrid segment, recognising the practicality of hybrids in a country where fully electric vehicles remain hindered by insufficient charging infrastructure.
