Master Changan Motors Limited (MCML) is poised to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings with the anticipated launch of the Deepal S07 SUV and L07 Sedan in the upcoming months. Although the company has yet to make an official announcement, a top executive suggested that a new electric vehicle rollout is imminent but did not provide specific details about the models.
As part of its comprehensive Vast Ocean Plan, Changan, the parent company of MCML, has introduced three distinct EV brands: Avatr, Deepal, and Nevo. These brands are designed to meet the varying needs of different customer segments. Syed Shabbiruddin, MCML’s Director of Sales and Marketing, revealed the company’s strategic intent to introduce one of these EV brands to the Pakistani market shortly.
Sources close to the matter indicated that MCML is in the advanced phases of planning for the introduction of the Deepal S07, a dynamic mid-size crossover SUV, and the Deepal L07, an elegant fastback sports sedan. Both vehicles are creations of Deepal, Changan’s specialized electric vehicle subsidiary.
Changan has partnered with industry giants Huawei and CATL to develop a dedicated EV platform. The Deepal L07 sedan and S07 SUV were recently launched in Thailand, a market that shares the right-hand drive configuration with Pakistan, suggesting a similar introduction in Pakistan.
Syed Shabbiruddin expressed optimism about the future of electric vehicles, highlighting the growing demand fueled by Pakistan’s young population, which is expected to require an additional 360,000 vehicles by 2030. He also pointed to the decreasing cost of EV batteries, which are projected to fall below $99/kWh by 2027, potentially driving global adoption.
However, he also addressed challenges such as regulatory issues that classify EVs based on battery capacity, which may disadvantage certain models, and strict pricing policies at charging stations, which could deter investment in necessary infrastructure.
To overcome these challenges, Syed Shabbiruddin proposed revising the classification criteria to encourage all types of pure EVs and called for policy changes to facilitate easier financing and subsidized interest rates for EV purchases. He also emphasized the need for better profit margins at charging stations and recommended extensive public education campaigns on the proper handling and storage of EV batteries.
