BYD, a Chinese automobile importer in Pakistan’s growing new energy vehicle (NEV) market, has opposed the government’s proposal to allow the import of five-year-old used cars. The company argues that this move would disrupt local manufacturers, harm the environment, and increase reliance on costly petroleum imports.
At a media briefing in Karachi, BYD Vice President Danish Khaliq stated that such vehicles would arrive in Pakistan with prices depreciated by up to 60%, negatively impacting the price-sensitive market. He warned that this would slow NEV adoption and reduce sales of traditional Japanese automakers still operating in the country’s oil-run vehicle segment.
Khaliq proposed that any import duty reductions in the upcoming budget should apply exclusively to NEVs and be limited to automakers willing to invest in Pakistan. He emphasized that government policy should align with national industrial development and sustainability goals.
BYD also highlighted environmental risks, arguing that an influx of older oil-run cars would hinder Pakistan’s progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and affect job creation. The country already imports three-year-old used cars under existing regulations.
Meanwhile, BYD has launched two electric vehicles in Pakistan and is partnering with Mega Motor Company, which is setting up an NEV manufacturing plant in Sindh. The facility, expected to become operational next year, will have an annual capacity of 25,000 vehicles.