KARACHI: In a first, Pakistani automaker Master Changan Motors Ltd (MCML) exported its first batch of SUVs, comprising 14 Oshan X7, to Kenya, reported The News on Friday.
The motor vehicle company had been set up in Pakistan under a joint venture between Pakistan's Master Group and China's Changan Automobile.
The company said the vehicles that are labeled as "Made in Pakistan" would be sold in Kenyan and Tanzanian markets. It added that it also plans to expand export volumes to other countries in the future.
The export ceremony, held in Karachi, coincided with the 10th-year anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative that aims to boost trade and infrastructure links between the two countries.
Master Changan's CEO Danial Malik said they were taking major steps to make Master Changan a part of Changan's global vehicle supply chain under the “Vast Ocean Plan”.
The strategy was unveiled by Changan Automobile's Chairman Zhu Huarong earlier this year.
"Under this plan, Changan Automobile plans to invest $10 billion in overseas markets with a focus on intelligent low-carbon core technology. Master Changan Pakistan, as Changan's Right-Hand Drive (RHD) manufacturing hub, will play a pivotal role in realising the 'Vast Ocean Plan' by catering to RHD markets globally," Malik said.
The CEO thanked the government for the auto export policy 2021-2026 that focuses on promoting and incentivising the automotive industry.
He also urged the government to create policies that increase volumes locally, which would improve economies of scale, support deeper localisation, and encourage automakers to enhance their global competitiveness.
The Oshan X7 is Master Changan's flagship product that offers impressive dimensions and remarkable performance.
It is powered by Pakistan's only 1.5L turbocharged engine and has a fuel average of 14-15 km/litre and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.23 seconds.
The vehicle also boasts a contemporary design, luxurious interior, and state-of-the-art features, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FW), and heated and vented seats.
It is the sole vehicle in its class to offer a versatile 5/7 seat layout, catering to diverse preferences and needs.