BYD introduces hybrid pickup truck model, the Shark, in Pakistan market
BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is set to launch its first EV assembled in Pakistan in July or August 2026. The plant, developed in partnership with Mega Motor Company (MMC), a subsidiary of The Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO), is set to begin operations near Karachi.
Key details about the BYD EV assembly in Pakistan:
- Plant capacity: Initially, the plant will have an assembly capacity of 25,000 units per year, operating on a double shift.
- Production approach: Assembly will start with imported parts, while some non-electric components will be produced locally. This means full component manufacturing is not immediate, but local content will grow over time.
- Product focus: The plant will focus on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, initially serving the domestic Pakistani market with the possibility of future exports to nearby right-hand drive markets depending on logistics and economic feasibility.
- Market outlook: BYD has already been selling imported EVs in Pakistan since early 2025, with sales exceeding expectations by 30% despite limited volumes. The local assembly is to support planned growth, with BYD aiming for a 30-35% market share as the EV segment is expected to triple or quadruple by 2025.
- Strategic significance: The plant aligns with BYD's broader strategy to expand into emerging South Asian markets, leveraging Pakistan’s growing EV demand and government incentives such as reduced charging tariffs.
On July 25, 2023, BYD rolled out the BYD Shark in Karachi, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) available in Pakistan. The Shark is equipped with BYD's DMO technology, where "O" stands for off-road and "DM" stands for dual mode. However, no new information about the technology or specifications of the EV to be launched in Pakistan was provided.
The starting price of the BYD Shark in Pakistan is 19,950,000 Pakistani Rupees ($70,420). BYD has introduced the Shark in several countries, including Brazil, Cambodia, Australia, and Peru.
In addition to the Shark, BYD launched three models in Pakistan on August 17, 2024: the all-electric Atto 3, the Seal EV, and the hybrid Sealion 6. In China, the Atto 3 is known as the Yuan Plus, and the Sealion 6 is known as the Song Plus DM-i. It is not mentioned if the Sealion 6 is available on the MMC website in Pakistan.
BYD's entry into the hybrid pickup truck market in Pakistan marks a significant step towards local EV production, combining assembly of imported parts with some local manufacturing and aiming to serve both domestic and regional markets. The factory in Pakistan will initially operate on a double-shift work schedule.
[1] BYD to invest $150 million in EV assembly plant in Pakistan [2] BYD to start assembling electric vehicles in Pakistan by 2026 [3] BYD to set up electric vehicle factory in Pakistan [4] BYD Launches Shark in Pakistan [5] BYD to build NEV factory in Pakistan
[6] The new BYD plant in Pakistan will have an initial capacity to produce 25,000 electric vehicles annually
[7] Assembly in the plant will commence with imported parts, eventually increasing local content as production continues
[8] The focus of the plant will be on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
[9] BYD aims to capture a 30-35% market share in the electric vehicle segment in Pakistan by 2025. The company's entry into Pakistan is part of its strategy to expand in emerging South Asian markets. The government's incentives and the growing demand for electric vehicles in Pakistan contribute to the strategic significance of this move.
