Web Desk: Pakistani automaker Sazgar Engineering Works announced Monday it will begin trial production of its first locally assembled hybrid sport utility vehicle, the Tank-500 Hi4-T, by the end of March 2026.
The company informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange that the rollout will include both hybrid electric (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) variants. This move marks the firm’s formal entry into the high-end hybrid segment as the domestic market shifts toward energy-efficient vehicles.
According to the regulatory filing, the 2.0L Turbo 4X4 models will be produced as completely knocked down (CKD) units. Earlier this year, the company set ex-factory prices for the SUV at 20.5 million rupees for the HEV and 22.5 million rupees for the PHEV variant.
In a simultaneous move to scale operations, Sazgar’s board approved a new 22 billion rupee expansion plan. This investment will fund the construction of a fully automatic paint shop and modern assembly facilities. Once operational, the upgrades will boost the plant’s total annual production capacity to 54,000 units on a single-shift basis.
The company has already invested 6.5 billion rupees into its existing four-wheeler infrastructure, which includes a 5.7-megawatt solar power system and expanded warehousing. Sazgar intends to finance the remaining expansion through a combination of internal cash flow and bank borrowings.
This strategic pivot follows an industry-wide trend in Pakistan to mitigate rising fuel costs through electrification. Unlike standard hybrids, the Tank-500 PHEV variant features a larger battery capable of independent electric range before engaging the gasoline engine
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