HUBCO says BYD’s car plant in Pakistan is on track to begin operations by mid-December 2026. The company shared the update at its annual general meeting on 20 October 2026, according to a Topline Securities report cited by Profit. The first cars will use imported parts, and sales are expected to start at 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles a month. Here is what was said and what is still unclear.
What HUBCO Said
- Start date: HUBCO expects the plant to begin operations by mid-December 2026, according to Profit.
- Delay reports: PakWheels says HUBCO rejected reports of a delay and described the plant as “on track to begin operations before the end of 2026.”
- Initial sales: About 1,000 to 1,500 BYD vehicles a month, rising as production grows. This is a range and not a fixed target.
- Models: More BYD models will be added in phases, focusing on high-volume segments. No model names were given.
A Difference in the Timing Reports
The reports give slightly different timing. Profit says management expected the plant to start within four to five weeks of the meeting and by mid-December. PakWheels, citing an Arif Habib Limited analyst, also says four to five weeks but quotes HUBCO’s wording as “before the end of 2026” and does not mention mid-December. Four to five weeks from 20 October would be late November, not mid-December. Treat “mid-December” as the company’s latest timeline, and not as a confirmed date.
Imported Parts at First
Production will at first depend entirely on imported materials and parts. HUBCO’s long-term goal is up to 80% vehicle localisation, which management says would make the cars more competitive on cost. The reports say localisation will rise step by step after the start, with no date given for reaching 80%.
Plant Details
| Item | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Partner | Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Hub Power Company (HUBCO) |
| Location | Near Karachi |
| Starting capacity | 25,000 vehicles a year, expandable to about 50,000 (PakWheels) |
| Investment | About $150 million (Gulf News, February 2026) |
| Jobs | More than 1,100, according to BYD (PakWheels) |
| Vehicle types | Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (earlier Reuters and Bloomberg reports, cited by Gulf News) |
PakWheels says this will be BYD’s sixth production facility outside China. The capacity and investment figures were not repeated in the Profit report on the AGM, so they come from earlier coverage.
Will Cars Get Cheaper?
Not automatically. PakWheels notes that local assembly does not guarantee lower prices. Exchange rates, taxes, duties and production volume will keep affecting prices, and more local parts could reduce import costs over time. No BYD prices for locally assembled cars have been announced.
Other HUBCO Updates From the Meeting
Profit reports that HUBCO also said:
- The data centre project is delayed because of high electricity and technology costs and uncertain returns.
- The aluminium smelting project is still under discussion with the government.
- Fuel storage work has seen minor delays because of the regional conflict.
- It had receivables of about Rs135.58 billion from five associated entities as of 30 June 2026, including Rs88 billion from CPHGC.
What Is Not Clear
- The exact start date of operations.
- Which models will be assembled first, and their prices.
- When locally assembled cars will reach customers.
- When localisation will reach 80%.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the BYD plant in Pakistan start?
HUBCO expects operations by mid-December 2026, according to Profit. Other reports say before the end of 2026.
How many cars will it make?
Initial sales of 1,000 to 1,500 a month are planned. The plant starts with capacity for 25,000 a year, according to PakWheels.
Who is BYD’s partner?
Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of HUBCO.
Will the cars use local parts?
Not at first. HUBCO aims for up to 80% localisation in the long term.
Which models will be made?
No names have been given. More models will be added in phases.
What are the prices?
Not announced.
The plant would be a major step for electric vehicles in Pakistan, but buyers will need to wait for models, prices and the real start date.
