Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD will commence car assembly in Pakistan, starting in the year 2026.
BYD's Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant in Pakistan Set to Begin Operations
BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is gearing up to start production at its assembly plant near Karachi, Pakistan by July or August 2026. The factory, built in collaboration with Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Pakistani utility firm Hub Power, has been under construction since April 2025.
Initially, the plant will assemble imported EV and plug-in hybrid components, with some non-electric parts produced locally. The factory will operate on a double-shift schedule, with an initial production capacity of 25,000 units per year. However, BYD has not specified when it expects to reach full capacity or begin mass production beyond the initial timeline.
The plant's primary focus will be on serving the domestic Pakistani market, with potential future exports of right-hand-drive vehicles to neighbouring countries in South Asia, depending on freight costs and market economics. BYD aims to capture a 30 to 35 percent share in the Pakistani electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sector.
The factory's location in Pakistan caters to the growing demand in emerging markets. The plant will also enable BYD to take advantage of incentives offered by the Pakistani government. Sales of BYD's imported EVs in Pakistan have already exceeded internal targets by 30 percent, although specific sales figures were not disclosed.
BYD has already launched several models in Pakistan, including the all-electric Atto 3 (known as the Yuan Plus in China), the Seal EV, and the hybrid Sealion 6 (Song Plus DM-i in China). The company plans to roll out its first electric vehicle assembled in Pakistan by July or August 2026.
In a separate development, BYD is reported to have suspended plans to build a major car plant in Mexico due to geopolitical tensions. However, there are reports indicating that BYD may open a new NEV assembly plant in Karachi, Pakistan, subject to development needs.
On Friday, BYD is set to launch the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup truck in Pakistan, a model initially launched in Mexico in May 2024 under the name BYD Shark but not available in the Chinese market and has been renamed Shark 6 in several overseas markets.
The assembly plant in Pakistan is a significant step for BYD as it expands its global footprint and caters to the growing demand for EVs in emerging markets.
- BYD's Electric Vehicle assembly plant in Pakistan, set to begin operations, is a significant step toward extending its global reach.
- The collaboration between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a Pakistani utility firm subsidiary, will enhance the production of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrids.
- With the plant's initial production capacity of 25,000 units per year, BYD aims to capture a substantial share of the Pakistani electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sector, targeting 30 to 35 percent.
- The plant's operations will initially focus on assembling imported EV and plug-in hybrid components, with some local production of non-electric parts.
- The assembly plant's strategic location in Pakistan will cater to the growing demand in emerging markets and enable BYD to take advantage of government incentives.
- The plant's primary objective is to serve the domestic Pakistani market, with potential exports to South Asian countries, contingent upon freight costs and market economics.
- Sales figures for BYD's imported EVs in Pakistan have surpassed internal targets by 30 percent, demonstrating a promising market for electric vehicles.
- Beyond the initial production timeline, BYD has not specified when it expects to ramp up production to full capacity.
- Amid geopolitical tensions, BYD suspended plans for a major car plant in Mexico, but there are reports indicating a potential new NEV assembly plant in Karachi, Pakistan, subject to development needs.
