BYD Shark PHEV goes global with 1.5T plug-in system priced at SAR 246,300!

Five months after its global debut, the BYD Shark plug-in hybrid electric pickup truck has now entered the Brazilian market.

The starting price of this pickup is BRL 379,800 (SAR 246,300), significantly higher than its main competitors, the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger, whose starting prices are around BRL 220,000 (SAR 142,670).

Presale Response

Despite the higher price, BYD reports that since the presale began on October 3rd, about 1,500 orders have been received. Henrique Antunes, BYD Brazil's commercial director, expects annual sales to range between 10,000 and 15,000 units. This could make the Shark one of the top five best-selling models in the Brazilian pickup market.

Despite the dominance of traditional engine models in Brazil's pickup market, BYD is confident in its potential to disrupt this market. In the first nine months of 2024, BYD’s sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Brazil exceeded 50,000 units, representing a staggering 700% increase year-on-year.

Engine

The BYD Shark is equipped with a 1.5L turbo engine (183 PS/260 Nm) and electric motors on both axles (front axle: 231 PS/310 Nm, rear axle: 204 PS/340 Nm), delivering a combined output of 437 PS and 650 Nm.

The Shark features a 29.58 kWh blade battery and under the NEDC standard, has an electric-only range of 100 km, with a total combined range of 840 km when fully fueled. The Shark is built on BYD’s platform specifically designed for PHEVs, sharing the same platform with the BYD Fang Cheng Bao 5 SUV, and is BYD’s first double-cab pickup manufactured in China mainly for the export market.

This pickup utilizes an independent double-wishbone suspension system, a cargo volume of 1,450L, a payload capacity of 2,665 kg, and a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 kg.

Technology

The Shark also comes with various intelligent features including vehicle-to-load (V2L) power supply, a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, a 12-inch head-up display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, in-vehicle karaoke, and a 360-degree panoramic camera with a transparent engine hood feature.

Standard smart driving assistance systems include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, rear collision warning, reverse blind spot warning, and side blind spot warning.

Challenges

Following its launch in Latin America, the BYD Shark is set to enter Australia, and it remains a point of interest whether this dual-cab pickup will have the opportunity to break into the Middle Eastern market as it continues to expand globally.