BYD’s Exciting, New ‘Shark’ PHEV Truck Unveiled in Mexico

Recently, Chinese EV giant BYD unveiled its first PHEV truck, dubbed Shark, in Mexico City.

According to Reuters, BYD’s Chief of Americas Stella Li said BYD chose Mexico for the Shark’s unveiling because of the rapid growth in demand for pickup trucks in the country. The unveiling came soon after the U.S. announced new 100% Chinese EV tariffs, making most Chinese EVs unlikely to be available in the U.S. anytime soon.

Li said the U.S. tariff hikes have no impact on BYD. “We don’t have plans to go to the U.S. market, so this announcement does not impact us at all,” Li said.

Media reports have said BYD plans to build a plant in Mexico despite the U.S. pressuring the Mexican government to discourage China from producing EVs in Mexico. BYD has proven to be a strong competitor to Tesla in the global market.

BYD Shark Is Ready to Compete

The BYD Shark’s global debut in Mexico City marks the first time that BYD has chosen to unveil a new model outside of China, and it speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in international markets. Despite the controversy surrounding the emergence of Chinese EVs in North America, BYD’s decision to showcase the Shark PHEV truck in Mexico highlights the importance of this region in the brand’s future plans.

The Shark is set to compete with the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Hilux, and Nissan Navara in global markets. While BYD does not currently sell cars in the U.S., the Shark’s impact could be felt worldwide, especially in regions where the pickup truck segment is particularly popular, such as Latin America and Asia.

As of this writing’s exchange rate, the PHEV truck will be sold south of the border starting at $53,440. In the coming weeks, the 2024 BYD Shark will be available in Mexico, with reservations already open.

Currently, the Shark is being manufactured in China, but BYD has plans to expand its production facilities to Mexico in the near future. This move could make the Shark even more accessible to consumers in the Americas, with a growing demand for electric vehicles.

BYD’s Shark Is an Impressive Plug-In Hybrid Truck

The 2024 BYD Shark has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, allowing it to cover over 500 miles on a single charge. This impressive range sets it apart from many other electric vehicles currently available, making it a practical option for those who rely on their vehicles for long-distance travel or heavy-duty use.

The combination of electric power and traditional fuel offers the best of both worlds, providing efficiency and reliability for drivers. BYD’s choice of hybrid rather than battery electric trucks is proof of the growing popularity of hybrids around the world. This is mainly due to the lack of charging availability for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

BYD said the Shark can travel up to 100 km (62 miles) in EV mode before needing a recharge. The company detailed in its brochure that the truck can travel up to 840 km (521 miles) using electric and internal combustion engines. According to the brochure, the pickup uses 7.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (31.4 mpg) traveled.

The truck can tow 2,500 kg (5,511 pounds) and has a payload capacity of 835 kg (1,841 pounds). The Shark can travel from 0 to 62 mph in a blazing 5.7 seconds. The truck supports fast charging thanks to its CCS1 port despite being a PHEV.

Directed by BYD’s Director of Global Design, Wolfgang Egger, the design of the truck is inspired by the agility of sharks. Agile rear lights are integrated into the BYD logo, creating a unique visual spectacle. The Shark offers the largest body size in its class.

BYD’s interior design director, Michele Jauch Paganetti, designed a personalized, practical, and intelligent cabin for the Shark, combining the practical functionality of outdoor sport with modernity, aesthetics, and robustness. The BYD intelligent cabin system in the truck is equipped with a 12.8-inch multimedia rotating display and a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel.

The “Hi BYD” voice command system allows driving without having to find physical buttons to operate during driving. The intelligent cabin system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, supports mobile phone interconnection.

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