BYD has officially commenced deliveries of its highly anticipated Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute in Australia, marking a significant milestone as the country's first PHEV ute. However, the rollout is facing some hurdles due to ongoing industrial action at ports.
- First customer delivery took place at BYD's Brisbane showroom
- Thousands of Shark 6s are delayed on ships due to port industrial action
- Normal delivery time expected to be 6-8 weeks after ordering
- Over 5,500 orders received since late October 2024
Customer Experience
The first Shark 6 owner, Ben Hillier, shared his initial impressions:
- Replaced his Mitsubishi Triton with the Shark 6
- Appreciates the practicality for camping and powering appliances
- Values the EV-like driving experience and advanced technology
- Can charge using home solar setup
Shark 6 Specifications
- Priced at $57,900 before on-road costs
- Powertrain: 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine + two electric motors
- Total output: 321kW and 650Nm
- Electric-only range: 100km (NEDC)
- Fuel economy: As low as 2.0L/100km in hybrid mode
- Braked towing capacity: 2,500kg
Market Position
The Shark 6 enters the market ahead of upcoming PHEV utes from Ford and GWM, undercutting popular models like the Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo and Toyota HiLux SR5.
The launch of the BYD Shark 6 represents a significant step in the electrification of Australia's popular ute segment. While port delays are causing some initial hiccups, the strong order numbers suggest a robust demand for this innovative vehicle.
As the first PHEV ute in the market, the Shark 6 could pave the way for a new era of more efficient and versatile utility vehicles in Australia.
