The BYD Shark 6 will soon be available in a cab-chassis variant in Australia, following government approval granted late last week. This move expands the popular ute’s lineup and opens up new opportunities for commercial buyers.
Зміст
Key Specs and Capabilities
The Shark 6 cab-chassis retains core features from the standard model, including a 3260mm wheelbase and a 2500kg braked towing capacity. Weighing in at 2565kg (110kg lighter than the factory-tray version), it maintains a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg, allowing for a payload of 935kg once a tray or storage solution is added.
Hybrid Powertrain
The cab-chassis will utilize the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain as the existing Shark 6: a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 29.6kWh battery. Combined, this system delivers 321kW and 650Nm of torque, providing an all-electric range of up to 100km. A more powerful 2.0-liter PHEV variant is also reportedly under development.
Market Impact and Launch Timing
BYD expects the cab-chassis model to lower the entry price for the Shark 6, making it more accessible to businesses and tradespeople. The company aims to target fleet buyers and broaden its overall appeal in the competitive Australian ute market. Launch is projected for early 2026.
Sales Performance to Date
The BYD Shark 6 has quickly gained traction since its late-2023 launch, with 15,181 units sold through October 2024. It currently ranks fourth in the 4×4 ute segment, trailing behind the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Isuzu D-Max, but outperforming the Mitsubishi Triton and Mazda BT-50.
The introduction of a cab-chassis variant demonstrates BYD’s commitment to diversifying its offerings and capturing a larger share of the Australian ute market, where practicality and affordability are key drivers.
