The BYD Shark 6 lineup is set to expand, with the Chinese automaker telling CarExpert its dual-cab ute range must grow if the popular electrified hay-hauler is to make a long-term impact in Australia’s hotly contested ute market.
The BYD Shark 6 was released in Australia in early 2025 with just one dual-cab variant – the Premium model grade with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain and all-wheel drive – priced at $57,900 before on-road costs.
Its launch campaign helped it become BYD’s best-seller in Australia, making up almost half of its total sales so far this year and helping the brand to finish just outside the top 10 in May.
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Yet after a strong first two months of sales, including 2026 vehicles in February and 2810 in March, Shark 6 deliveries fell to around half that in each of the past two months – 1293 in April and 1300 in May.
Meanwhile, the Toyota HiLux claimed the number one spot overall for May with 4952 sales, meaning that on average the HiLux matched the Shark 6’s monthly sales in a single week.
While the Shark 6 is still exceeding BYD’s pre-launch sales goal of 1000 sales per month, the brand is aware it needs to offer a wider variety of variants to make a serious dent in the segment alongside an ever-increasing number of rivals.
It currently has plans for a cab/chassis version and importer EVDirect – which surrenders its distribution rights to BYD Australia from July 1 – previously confirmed the addition of a larger-displacement 2.0-litre PHEV powertrain.
However, both of these Shark 6 derivatives remain some way off, with the business-friendly cab/chassis due in 2026 at the earliest, and the bigger engine due in 2027 or later.
Speaking to CarExpert, BYD Australia’s product chief Sajid Hasan confirmed new Shark 6 variants remain in the works.
“Definitely – studies [are] happening for us to expand the pickup lineup,” he said.
Asked if this meant more Shark 6 variants or another ute, following the recent sighting of a mysterious camouflaged ute thought to be a restyled Shark 6 in China – or both – Mr Hasan focussed on the Shark 6.
“I can’t make any confirmations about that [a new ute in addition to the Shark 6], but given the size of the segment and the need to offer broad reach through different target customers…”
“You’ve got your fleets, and you’ve got your private customers, your tradies, on-road customers, off-road customers, heavy towing usage,” Hasan added.
“It’s just so broad it would be hard to do it through just the one.”
As the number of Shark 6 rivals increases, other automakers are offering Aussie ute buyers more choice from the get-go.
The Kia Tasman – the Korean automaker’s first pickup – will be available in a single 4×2 grade and five 4×4 variants when the all-new dual-cab hits Australian showrooms in July, although it won’t offer a PHEV powertrain for now.
TheGWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is offered in two different grades as part of a broader lineup including non-plug-in hybrid and diesel versions, too.
Both GWM’s and BYD’s electrified utes will face the Ford Ranger PHEV, which is due in local showrooms this month in four model grades, adding to an already comprehensive lineup offering a multitude of body types, equipment levels and powertrain choices.
As the benchmark in the category, the Ranger’s showroom offering has expanded significantly with new variants and special editions in recent years, such as the Wildtrak X, Sport, Platinum and others.
The PHEV is one of several new Ranger variants Ford has added since launching its original Ranger Raptor back in 2018, followed by the new-generation Ranger and Ranger Raptor in 2022, with the heavy-duty Ranger Super Duty scheduled to arrive in 2026.
Other brands such as Mitsubishi have also expanded their ute lineups, with cab/chassis and single-cab version of the Triton added to the new-generation lineup earlier this year.
Apart from upcoming replacements for the HiLux and Nissan Navara, several all-new utes are also coming to Australia soon from MG, LDV, Foton, Chery, Geely, Deepal and Mahindra, and a range of new hybrid or all-electric utes is also expected to arrive here within the next few months and years, from brands including LDV, Isuzu, JAC, Kia and Hyundai.
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