BYD has revealed its new pickup truck, the Shark, in Mexico, showing its readiness to compete in the truck market. The Chinese company has been doing well against Tesla in the electric vehicle world. The hybrid Shark is expected to boost the company’s profits, offering good performance and range.
The debut comes after the Biden administration announced high tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. This makes it difficult for American buyers to afford Chinese EVs. For now, the Shark won’t be available in the US, but if BYD sets up manufacturing in North America, that might change.
The Shark truck uses a plug-in hybrid system with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a battery pack, and an electric motor. It can go 62 miles on electric power alone and has a total range of 521 miles. Charging is relatively fast, taking 20 minutes to go from 20% to 80%. BYD plans to release a fully electric version soon.
The truck has a combined output of 428 horsepower and 478 lb-ft of torque, comparable to other hybrid trucks like the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and has a payload rating of 1,840 lbs with a towing capacity of up to 5,100 lbs.
The Shark has a modern design, borrowing elements from other trucks like the F-150 Lightning and VW Amarok. Inside, it features a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch center display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Safety features include a 540-degree camera system, a heads-up display, and multiple storage spaces.
The Shark offers a simple yet appealing design and strong capabilities. While it won’t be available in the US for now due to tariffs and BYD’s decision, its debut in Mexico signals its potential to expand further into other markets.
