Asia Tech Wire (Aug 16) -- Chinese electric car maker BYD plans to enter the Pakistani market, launching battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), according to Bloomberg.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said BYD plans to build a factory in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, in partnership with a local partner.

The plant will stand near Karachi's Port Qasim area, which houses the assembly plants of automobile companies such as Toyota, Suzuki Motor and Kia's local units, the people said.

According to the person, construction of the plant will be completed by the first half of 2026, but specific details are still under discussion.

The person said BYD would form a joint venture with Mega Motors, a subsidiary of Hub Power, Pakistan's largest independent electricity producer, in addition to a partnership already in place with local group Mega Conglomerate.

A filing with the Pakistan Stock Exchange in June showed that BYD would partner with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hub Power to launch a new electric vehicle business in Pakistan.

BYD will showcase three models it plans to sell in Pakistan, including an SUV and a sedan, at a brand launch on Saturday, the person said.

The Chinese electric car maker will also set up showrooms in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and start sales in the fourth quarter of this year.

BYD aims to introduce more models to the market at a later date, including BEVs and PHEVs.

A BYD spokesperson confirmed the company's plans to enter the Pakistani market and launch BEVs and PHEVs, but would not comment on plans to invest in a factory in Pakistan and other details.