BYD plans car plant in Karachi

KARACHI, Aug 19 (Reuters): Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD on Saturday announced plans to open a car production plant in Pakistan, where it will also start selling three models through a partnership with Mega Motors.

BYD is the first major new electric vehicle (NEV) entrant in the Pakistani market, where there is a lack of charging infrastructure.

BYD also plans to open three "flagship stores and experience centres" in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, the company said at a launch event in Lahore, adding it plans to start selling two SUV models and a sedan from the fourth quarter of 2024.

Mega Motors is a unit of Pakistan's largest private utility Hub Power Co Ltd, known as Hubco.

"We will establish Pakistan's first NEV assembly plant... dedicated to producing BYD's cutting-edge new energy vehicles," said Hubco Chief Executive Kamran Kamal, who described the deal as a "landmark investment".

The new plant will begin operations in 2026, Kamal told Reuters.

Hubco will setup fast-charging stations across major cities, motorways and highways to enhance Pakistan's charging infrastructure.