BYD builds plug-in hybrid pickup

The Chinese brand BYD (Build Your Dreams) is currently building pretty much everything that is possible. From fully electric small cars to sporty sedans to large SUVs with seven seats, the range has everything. Now the logical next step is being taken and the company is moving into the pickup segment. The pickup trucks are extremely popular outside of Europe and are often in a real fight for first place in the sales statistics. In order to get a piece of the pickup pie, the company recently introduced the Shark.

It is a 5.46 meter long, 1.97 meter wide and 1.93 meter high pickup with a wheelbase of 3.26 meters. The loading area has a volume of 1,450 liters and a load capacity of up to 835 kilograms. The Shark is traditionally built on a ladder frame architecture and has a 1.5-liter turbo engine with two electric units attached to the respective axles. BYD specifies the system output of the drive train as more than 430 hp, and the purely electric range is said to be around 100 kilometers.

Stolen optics

When it came to design, the Chinese (as is often the case) looked to other manufacturers and adapted the design language for their own vehicle. The front of the Shark, especially the lights including the LED light strip, is very reminiscent of the F-150 Lightning from Ford. The three letters of the manufacturer’s name are large and unmistakable on the grill. The bumper with massive underbody protection is flush with the body. The wheel arches are lavishly paneled. Additional railings are attached to the roof and there is a roll bar behind the rear window. The rear again takes up the design language of the Ford pickup and gives the Shark an LED light strip and a large brand logo.

The interior looks modern and comes with a swiveling 12.8-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch instrument screen. A 12-inch head-up display is also available. In addition to good standard equipment, there is also a practical 360-degree camera with a 180-degree view under the vehicle, which should make things easier in difficult off-road terrain. The emergency braking assistant, lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control and six airbags ensure additional safety.

The BYD Shark will initially be launched on the South American market in the second half of 2024. Prices are expected to start at the equivalent of around 49,300 euros, making the pickup a direct competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.