Australia is being warned that more Shark attacks are on the horizon.
BYD hasn’t even opened orders for its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) yet, but there are already talks of more utes on the horizon.
One of the most notable is the all-electric version of the Shark 6, yet to be revealed globally, but well and truly on the local wish list.
When asked about an update on the electric ute, David Smitherman, CEO of BYD’s local distributor EVDirect, told CarExpert “obviously we’d love to have a full EV in marketplace”.
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Shark 6
Despite this, Mr Smitherman also said he wants “to make the Shark 6 a huge success” before bringing other models to market.
At this stage BYD hasn’t confirmed what it’ll call this all-electric version of the Shark 6. If BYD’s naming structure is anything to go by though it’ll likely be called the Shark 7 to mirror the forthcoming Sealion 7 – an electric version of the Sealion 6 PHEV.
When asked about the possibility for future BYD utes, Mr Smitherman doubled down on how he wants the Shark 6 to succeed first, but then “there will be a real clear strategy on additional utes”.
“I love the performance ute segment. The full-size segment is something else I’m passionate about,” said Mr Smitherman.
“So absolutely, we’ll look to broaden that offering across the whole ute range.
“[It] just comes down to if Australians want the product. I’m confident we can bring it.”
This echoes similar comments made by BYD Asia-Pacific general manager Liu Xueliang earlier this year.
“We will bring many different variants and different generations of certain models to the Australian market,” said Mr Liu via a translator.
“For the BYD Shark, probably the first generation we won’t be able to do more than 2.5 tonnes [towing capacity], but we will also keep upgrading them and creating new models as well… eventually there will be many new models and upgraded models to satisfy the 3.5-tonne towing capacity.”
A BYD spokesperson who spoke with CarExpert said the reason why the Shark 6 is called what it is locally is because it allows for room above and below for different ute variants and models.
At launch only a single range-topping Premium version of the BYD Shark 6 will be offered locally.
Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors, and a 30kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Total system outputs are 321kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
At this stage EVDirect hasn’t confirmed exact pricing for the Shark 6, but it’s said the asking price will be under $60,000 before on-road costs.
This sees it undercut the likes of the Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo dual-cab ($63,640 before on-roads), and Toyota HiLux SR5 with V-Active Technology ($63,260 before on-roads).
MORE: Everything BYD Shark 6
