Chinese automaker BYD debuted its BYD Shark plug-in hybrid electric vehicle midsize pickup truck in Mexico, with the model advertised as offering electric four-wheel drive for off-roading while providing “ultra long range” with combined gasoline and battery-electric operation.
The design of the BYD Shark is “inspired by the agility and dominance of sharks,” according to the announcement, with both sharp modern aesthetics and good power specs highlighted as advantages offered to drivers by the pickup.
The BYD Shark is described as having the “largest body size in its class” with an approximately 128-inch wheelbase. The exterior features LED lighting, an aggressive front fascia, and other standard pickup features. The interior includes a 12.8-inch infotainment screen and a 10-inch digital driver instrument panel, plus 12-inch windshield head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and features such as wireless smartphone charging are standard.
The pairing of gasoline engine and electric motors provides approximately 430 horsepower. The BYD Shark can drive up to 60 miles in electric-only mode, providing a smooth, silent ride for shorter trips. The hybrid powertrain can provide up to 522 miles of range in optimal conditions by combining ICE and electric power.
The Shark PHEV pickup rides on independent front and rear suspension to provide good handling and comfort. A full suite of safety features is included, ranging from ordinary airbags to Adaptive Cruise Control, forward and rear collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and other safety technology.
The body is made with 54 percent high-strength steel and the Blade Battery – said to feature an exceptionally safe design – adds to the 38-percent structural rigidity of the chassis. The design and engineering of the vehicle was headed by Wolfgang Egger, BYD’s chief designer and a veteran of Audi, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and other prominent European vehicle brands.
The BYD Shark will be competing directly against several Chevy pickup models sold in Mexico, including the Chevy S10 Max and the Chevy Colorado. The Bow Tie recently rolled out a new advertising effort in Mexico with a video for the “Podemos Siempre” or “We Always Can” campaign.
While the BYD Shark is a PHEV, not an EV, its challenge to Chevy on Mexican turf may be an ominous sign of things to come as the U.S. government braces for a Chinese vehicle onslaught in America itself. A new 100-percent tariff on EVs from China is the latest development in the looming threat of Chinese vehicle to the U.S. automotive industry.
The Shark pickup’s prices are roughly comparable to Chevy’s in Mexico, with a base price of around $53,440 for the entry-level GL trim compared to the low to mid $50,000 range for the Bow Tie’s Colorado.
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Comments
The specs make a lot of sense, just maybe not the brand.
I have said these before , That GM Chevy Colorado and Canyon pickups should be offered with 2.7 Electric power combo for USA and other areas ! This Chinese Shark Ranger looking pickup makes 430 HP with a gas and Electric combo. Hello GM ,Wakeup . Of the main three mid size pickups Toyota Ford Ranger the Chevy Colorado/ Canyon are last in power, GM better hope , The Chinese Shark pickup, is not offered in the USA !
That actually looks pretty good! Is that the price with the tariff?
“inspired by the agility and dominance of sharks,” <—That's a long way of saying "F150"
53k for something that will last how many years? Really, just because it looks decent, do you think that it will still be on the road in 10 years? Will its maintenance cost more or less than a Chevy, Ford, or Ram? These things will be like the first 3 decades of Japanese cars that came to North America; essentially throwaway.
But is China making money on it? The S10 had a high profit margin on it. This is a very complex to produce vehicle, even if you have an army of uighurs working on it for free. While it looks like the Chinese paid a German to be the head engineer, will it last with “made in china” quality? Chevy could offer a 10% incentive, and chug a long with a decent profit. If this truck was truly cheap to make, wouldn’t the Chinese undercut the S10 max instead of just barley sanding a premium?
If this vehicle eventually sees production in Mexico, that will be the ultimate in getting what you asked for. The Big 3 had a huge influence in the original NAFTA and the 2.0 version as well, exporting wages and many forms of regulation to our southern neighbor. Now those same rules can be used to complete against them supported by both a motivated and adversarial government and a ‘friendly’ government that’s a key trade partner.
The US government could outright ban them. But this would cause a whole new set of complications and retaliation. Although if China were to ban American car manufacturers, it would land up with thousands of lost jobs within China (since many cars are produced in China for China by American manufacturers).
Holy Ford Lightning clone!
Great idea, a mid-sized 4×4 PHEV truck with good battety-only range. Why don’t we already have one in Canada and the US? They want to sell us those electric behemoths or ICE vehicles.