The Shark is Unleashed: BYD’s New Pickup Truck Revealed

Shark’s new BYD pickup truck has attracted much attention, even before its official unveiling at the Beijing Motor Show in April. Set to be the first plug-in hybrid pickup truck, BYD’s Shark can be seen as the pickup version of the SUV Bao 5 from BYD’s subsidiary, Fang Cheng Bao, using the same platform as the said vehicle.

Photos of the vehicle without camouflage have recently been circulating and drawing attention. To see technological advancements, compare detailed information about a Chinese-made pickup truck to the American-made Silverado EV.

High-quality design for export

The unveiled BYD Shark shows a high-quality design that doesn’t feel different from other pickup trucks. The large BYD logo on the front grill, a common feature of American pickup truck models, suggests it targets foreign markets, such as the U.S.

Although specific specifications have not been disclosed, it is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with advanced technology, such as a high-pressure fuel injection system and an electric motor. With a maximum output of 194 horsepower, the BYD Shark, based on an off-road specialized platform, is expected to offer four-wheel drive and achieve a combined driving range of about 621 to 746 miles.

Competing with the Ford Ranger
Performance comparable to Silverado EV

With dimensions of 5,457mm in length, 1,971mm in width, and a wheelbase of 3,260mm, the BYD Shark, which will take the position of a midsize pickup truck, is expected to compete with pickup trucks like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. However, some people often compare it with the Silverado EV due to its slightly larger size.

The full-size pickup truck Silverado EV, with a length of 5,920mm, width of 2,385mm, and height of 1,982mm, may not be a match in terms of performance or numbers, but it serves as a measure of how far China’s technology has advanced. After all, it has a driving range of 621 miles compared to the Silverado’s 373 miles.

Future launch of a fully electric pickup truck

The soon-to-be-revealed BYD Shark is expected to produce a fully electric version after the launch of the plug-in hybrid powertrain. It plans to sell in countries like China, Europe, and Australia before the end of this year, but there’s no news yet about a domestic release.

Upon the unveiling of the BYD plug-in hybrid pickup truck, local netizens expressed various reactions, like “It would be great if it were released domestically,” “There aren’t many pickup truck models in Korea,” “It would be good if the choices became more diverse with a domestic release,” and “Is the day coming when China overtakes America?” These comments seem to acknowledge the advancement of China’s automobile manufacturing technology.