Jetour Pakistan has started local assembly of its T2 i-DM plug-in hybrid SUV, with the first completely knocked down (CKD) unit rolling off the production line.
The move marks a shift for the T2 i-DM from a fully imported vehicle to one assembled locally in Pakistan.
The T2 i-DM was introduced in Pakistan earlier this year as Jetour expanded its SUV range, which already includes models such as the Dashing and X70 Plus.
The Pakistan-spec T2 i-DM uses a plug-in hybrid system that produces a claimed 360 horsepower and 610Nm of torque. It is equipped with an 18.4kWh LFP battery and has a claimed electric-only range of about 90km under the NEDC testing cycle.
Jetour said local assembly could help improve vehicle supply and deliveries while reducing reliance on fully built imported units.
The start of CKD production could improve parts availability and shorten supply chains. It may also give Jetour greater flexibility over pricing as production volumes increase.
However, local assembly does not necessarily mean that most components are made in Pakistan. The country’s automotive industry continues to rely heavily on imported kits and components.
The level of local sourcing for the T2 i-DM will therefore remain an important measure of Jetour’s long-term production plans.
Jetour has continued to expand its presence in Pakistan, recently adding the T1, T1 i-DM and T2 XWD to its SUV lineup.
The company will now face the challenge of maintaining consistent production, timely deliveries, parts availability and greater localisation as its local operations grow.
