BYD Shark 6 cab-chassis due early 2026

BYD Australia has confirmed plans to launch more variations of its popular Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute, the first of which will be a cab chassis version due here in the first quarter of 2026.

“In the first quarter of next year, we’ll have a different variant of Shark, which will be a cab chassis version,” BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins told carsales.

“We’ve been working on it and we think it’ll give us some incremental volume and provide customers with a more tailored solution to what their needs are. We’ll have it in market in the first quarter for sure.”

The exec wouldn’t be drawn on exactly what form the cab chassis variants would take, however, intel gathered by carsales suggests only dual-cab 4x4 versions will be offered at this stage.

There’s no word on whether more affordable 4x2 or single- and space-cab variants are planned, but Collins confirmed the cab chassis variants will feature the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder PHEV powertrain as the current Shark 6.

“Shark has been enormously successful and still is, with basically one grade, up against many of our competitors that have multiple grades, and options, and engines, and you name it,” he said.

“So, we are looking at how we can provide more grades within that particular segment that suit different customers.”

The inbound cab chassis will be one of them, while a more affordable ‘Essential’ grade could also be introduced and wipe thousands off the current $57,900 (plus ORCs) starting price.

A Shark 6 with 3.5-tonne towing will also be offered soon, however, Collins declined to put a timeframe on its arrival.

“Yeah, that’s high on our list [of models wanted Down Under],” he said.

“Our view is it will sell alongside [the current Shark 6].

“There are a lot of customers out there that don’t need or want a 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is a sizeable group who do, but there’s a sizeable group who are using them as city run-about cars, using them not too dissimilarly to an SUV.”

To offer the additional 1000kg of towing capacity, the more capable Shark will be fitted with the same PHEV powertrain as the Denza B8; a Toyota LandCruiser-sized three-row 4x4 SUV due Down Under next year.

The system consists of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and two electric motors (one on each axle) that combine for 450kW/760Nm, and enough poke to accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds.

“Beyond that, obviously we will still have some new models coming (beyond the four recently announced), but we haven’t made any announcements on timing,” Collins said.

BYD Australia says it will announce more details of cab chassis Shark 6 very soon, ahead of the first examples arriving in Q1 of 2026.

* Images generated by AI

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