BYD’s Shark 6 plug in hybrid ute has been one of the most popular light commercial vehicles to hit Australia in recent years, and has seen more than 6,000 sales in the first four months of the year.
In February, spy shots out of China showed another, sleeker ute from the company that is under development. New spy shots reveal a few more details about this potential upcoming model.
This time, the ute is spotted on top of another transporter truck and reports from CNC show that, unlike the Shark 6 PHEV, which is built on the company’s DM-O platform for off-roading, the new ute is likely to be based on a passenger car platform.
If it’s to be a PHEV, then it’s likely to be based on the Sealion 6, which features the company’s DM-I technology.
This could also enable a full EV version as well, given that the Sealion 6 is sold as the Seal U in some European markets, which is a full battery electric SUV.
Other changes previously highlighted include the rounded headlight design, which is similar to that of ICE utes like the Mazda BT-50, sold locally in Australia.
These front lights are angled in a way that reminds us of the much smaller compact electric car from BYD, the Seagull, which is also known as the Dolphin Mini.
Comparing it to the Shark 6 styling, the front windshield area on the new model is slightly less angled, improving aerodynamics and efficiency of this vehicle.
BYD launched the Shark 6 in Australia at the end of October 2024, with pricing lower than expected – $57,900.
Since then, the company has taken thousands of orders, showing a clear path for the shift from diesel utes towards electrification.
The Shark 6 features a 29.58 kWh blade battery, which BYD claims provides 100 kilometres of pure electric range and a total driving range of 800 kilometres, offering drivers outstanding fuel efficiency.
The same blade battery pack in the ute can also be charged by the ute’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. With this drivetrain, the Shark 6 has 2.5 tonnes of brake towing capacity.
Given the popularity of utes in the Chinese market, this model is likely to be a success in both domestic and international markets.
We look forward to following the development of this product from BYD as it could be a fully electric ute that many have been waiting for.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.