We're going to need a bigger boat! BYD Shark 6 utes headed for Aussie waters

The first shipment of BYD’s highly anticipated Shark 6 ute to include customer vehicles is en route to Australia, ahead of local deliveries commencing in January 2025.

Images out of China show a batch of vehicles preparing to board a ship bound for Australian shores, as BYD endeavours to meet demand for the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute to be sold Down Under.

The first shipment is small and includes demonstrator models, with a larger shipment to follow soon. BYD is targeting late January for the first Australian customer deliveries.

There are already some Shark 6s in Australia being used for events and displays.

BYD’s Australian distributor – EVDirect – had recorded close to 4000 orders for the new Shark 6 to the end of November, after the Chinese manufacturer initially promised just 2000 examples for Australia.

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The BYD Shark is coming to Australia in just one version, priced at $57,900 before on-road costs, undercutting the likes of the Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo dual-cab ($63,640 before on-roads), and the Toyota HiLux SR5 with V-Active Technology ($63,260 before on-roads).

Powering the Shark 6 is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, plus two electric motors (one on each axle), and a 29.58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

The powertrain produces total outputs of 321kW and 650Nm, sent to all four wheels.

BYD claims an electric-only driving range of 100km (NEDC), with fuel economy as low as 2.0L/100km when running as a hybrid with the battery charged.

The Shark 6 has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg – down on the 3500kg figure of most Ranger models, including the upcoming PHEV.

MORE: Everything BYD Shark 6