BYD Shark PHEV ute in NZ shortly

BYD’s new globally launched plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ute is due in New Zealand next week as a right-hand drive prototype for its local launch at the Mystery Creek Fieldays on June 12.

So says BYD Auto New Zealand brand manager Warren Willmot, adding the Shark PHEV’s global launch in Mexico this week indicates BYD has no plans to enter the US market at this stage.

That’s especially as Biden has just announced 100% tariffs for Chinese EV imports to the US, likely to affect a range of China-made EVs, including the Build Your Dreams (BYD) brand.

Willmot says BYD is instead targeting other markets, such as Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Asia.

He says BYD is “building dreams and creating nightmares in Detroit, Wolfsburg (Germany), Tokyo and Seoul” – referring to a NZ Herald story.

BYD already builds buses in the US.

BYD Shark: The Numbers

Much like the upcoming GWM Cannon Alpha, the BYD Shark plug-in hybrid ute sits in the space between a Ford Ranger and Ford F-150 pick-up.

It is 5757mm long, 1971mm wide, 1925mm high, and has a wheelbase of 3260mm.

Although it has a ladder chassis, it does have independent front and rear suspension which results in a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, and payload of 835kg. Tray volume is quoted at 1450 litres.

A turbocharged 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain powers it. There are dual electric motors on the front and rear axles with a combined output of more than 316kW.   

Specifications released in Mexico for the Shark say it has a 30kWh Blade battery, a combined 840km range (NEDC), and a 100km electric range, and it accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is quoted at 7.5L/100km

It can be fast-charged from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes and offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

In the cabin, a rotating 12.8-inch screen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there is a separate 10.25-inch screen for the driver, a head-up display (HUD), and loads of tech and safety features.

The Shark debuts BYD’s Dual Mode Off-Road chassis, enabling an intelligent all-wheel drive system with a virtual differential that prevents wheel slip.  It has three off-road modes – Sand, Snow and Mud.