Geely set to enter crowded auto market

Bestway Automotive Private Limited (BAL) has been named the only authorised distributor of Chinese carmaker Geely in Pakistan, the company confirmed on Monday, according to The Express Tribune. The firm expects to start taking bookings before 2026 is over. The entry arrives as the local auto sector is already struggling with idle production capacity.

BAL belongs to the UK-based Bestway Group, which unveiled the partnership at a media briefing in Lahore and framed it as a long-term investment. Group managing director of non-banking businesses, Muhammad Irfan Anwar Sheikh, said the tie-up reflects the group's long-term outlook, and that its track record gives partners and customers confidence. Geely cars will first arrive as completely built units before BAL moves to local assembly at a recently acquired CKD plant.

Geely's global deliveries reached over 3.02 million units in 2025, of which 1.69 million were new-energy vehicles. Pakistan's assembler count has risen to about 17 in recent years, while plant utilisation has fallen below 50% from over 80% within the past ten years, with an estimated installed capacity of 500,000 to 600,000 vehicles annually. Sector analysts say several newer Chinese brands have struggled with after-sales networks, spare parts and resale values, while the government's 2026-31 auto policy is still pending.