The excitement surrounding the arrival of the Deepal S05 – a fully‑electric sport‑utility vehicle that Changan touted as a breakthrough for Pakistan’s nascent EV market – has begun to give way to frustration among those who placed deposits months ago. What should have been a smooth rollout of the first batch of locally‑available electric SUVs is now mired in postponed hand‑overs and a silence from the brand’s sales representatives.
Customers who booked the Deepal S05 through Changan’s authorised showrooms report that the delivery dates promised in early summer have slipped by several weeks, with many still awaiting a concrete timeline. In a string of recent social‑media posts, owners describe repeated attempts to reach showroom staff by phone and WhatsApp met with either delayed replies or no response at all, leaving them uncertain whether their vehicles will arrive before the upcoming winter season.
The discontent is not limited to isolated cases. A growing chorus of buyers has taken to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, sharing screenshots of unanswered messages and calling for transparent communication from Changan’s Pakistani operations. The lack of updates has sparked broader concerns about the reliability of after‑sales support for electric vehicles, a segment that the government is eager to expand as part of its climate‑friendly transportation agenda.
Industry observers note that the setbacks could have ripple effects beyond the disgruntled owners. Early adopters often serve as ambassadors for new technology, and prolonged delays may dampen consumer confidence at a time when the country is striving to meet its target of 30 percent EV penetration by 2030. Dealers, too, risk losing credibility if the supply chain issues are not swiftly resolved, potentially slowing the momentum of other manufacturers eyeing the Pakistani market.
Changan has not issued an official statement addressing the complaints, and the company’s local spokesperson declined to comment when approached for comment. As the waiting period stretches on, many customers are urging the automaker to provide a clear action plan, citing the need for timely fulfillment of orders and responsive customer service as essential to sustaining interest in electric mobility across Pakistan.