Reports out of Australia say the BYD Shark pick-up truck (which will be called the Shark 6 there) will be priced below AUD60k (RM173k) when it launches later this year, thereby undercutting the Ford Ranger (XLT Bi-Turbo dual cab at AUD64k, RM184k) and Toyota Hilux (SR5 with V-Active Technology at AUD63k, RM183k).

EVDirect CEO David Smitherman told Drive that the decision to target the ute (pick-up truck) segment, a large and significant market Down Under, was a statement to established brands that the Chinese company means business. EVDirect is BYD’s Australian importer.

“We’re not here for a holiday, we’re here to aggressively grow the market share… Aussies are used to particular brands in the ute segment. Aussies are quite loyal and we get that we’re new to Australia, but BYD has been around for 30 years, so we’re not new to the world,” he said.

Designed as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) from the get-go, the ladder-frame BYD Shark borrows its Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) Super Hybrid powertrain from the Bao Leopard 5. There’s a 192 hp 1.5 litre turbo four-cylinder engine and an electric motor on each axle (front 228 hp/310 Nm, rear 201 hp/340 Nm). Total system output? Over 430 hp and 650 Nm of torque.

The century sprint is dispatched in 5.7 seconds, top speed is 160 km/h and fuel economy is rated at 7.5 litres per 100 km NEDC. A 29.58 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery provides an electric range of 100 km, contributing to an overall 840 km range. At the max DC charging rate of 40 kW, 30-80% SoC can be achieved in 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is also available.

According to CarExpert, the BYD Shark will be open for booking in Australia on October 29 ahead of first deliveries commencing December 2024 to January 2025. Learn more about the BYD Shark here.

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