Karachi – July 24, 2025
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD is set to roll out its first locally assembled car in Pakistan by July or August 2026, according to a company executive, marking a significant step in its strategy to tap into the growing EV and plug-in hybrid market in South Asia.
The plant, currently under construction near Karachi, is a joint venture between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Hub Power Company (Hubco). Construction began in April 2025, and once operational, the facility will have a production capacity of 25,000 units annually, operating on a double-shift basis.
“Demand for EVs and plug-in hybrids in Pakistan is growing rapidly, and we expect the local market to align with our production scale,” said Danish Khaliq, Vice President of Sales and Strategy at BYD Pakistan.
Initially, the plant will assemble vehicles using imported kits, with limited local production of non-electric parts. The focus will be on the domestic market, though Khaliq noted there is potential for exports to right-hand drive markets in the region, depending on logistics and economic feasibility.
BYD made its entry into Pakistan earlier this year by importing a small batch of EVs. While specific sales figures weren’t disclosed, Khaliq confirmed that early sales had exceeded internal targets by over 30%, with a few hundred units sold by mid-2025.
Looking ahead, BYD forecasts a three- to four-fold increase in EV and plug-in hybrid sales in Pakistan in 2025, compared to just 1,000 units sold across the segment in 2024. The company is aiming to capture 30–35% of this expanding market.
BYD Pakistan also reported a profit of Rs444 million ($1.56 million) for the March 2025 quarter, according to a regulatory filing by Hubco.
In a bid to further strengthen its presence, BYD will unveil the Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid pickup truck, in Pakistan on Friday. The company will join an increasingly competitive space, with existing players like MG offering PHEV SUVs and Haval preparing for entry.
While fully electric vehicles face infrastructure challenges in Pakistan, plug-in hybrids are gaining traction due to their flexibility and ease of use in areas with limited charging facilities. To support the transition, the government reduced electricity tariffs for EV charging by 45% in January, aiming to encourage both consumer adoption and private-sector investment in charging stations.
