More capable BYD Shark 6 cab-chassis coming

A more capable version of the BYD Shark 6 cab-chassis will arrive later this year, gaining the flagship Performance model’s 350kW plug-in hybrid powertrain and in turn unlocking 3.5-tonne towing. More Shark variants are on the way too, but expect them to be of the dual-cab pick-up variety.

Speaking with carsales at the recent launch of the BYD Shark 6 Performance and cab-chassis, BYD Australia’s chief operating officer, Stephen Collins, said a more powerful version of the Shark 6 cab-chassis will touch down later this year if demand is there.

“We’re working through that now and we’re going to see how this model goes, but it’s definitely on our radar,” he said.

“If there’s demand for it (cab-chassis with 3.5t towing), then we’ll definitely make it happen. If our customers are saying that they’re happy with what we’re launching today, then we’ll see how we go.

“We’re in a really fortunate position that we've got flexibility to be able to do it or not do it.”

The cab-chassis arrives this month powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine and dual-electric motor plug-in hybrid system as the Shark 6 Premium, meaning it can only tow up to 2500kg (braked).

Introducing a work-focussed cab-chassis without the industry standard 3.5-tonne towing capability – offered with the more powerful 2.0-litre in the Shark 6 Performance – is an unusual decision, but one BYD expects to pay off.

According to Collins, the Chinese brand has already racked up a couple of hundred orders from fleet buyers.

“We’ve got about 200 at this point… I would expect to have close to 1000 in the next few months.”

But the exec all but ruled out single-cab and 4x2 versions of the Shark, based on the “small market” for those models.

“I think 4x4 dual-cabs is where we want to play. And what variants of those, I guess we’ll work that out. But single-cabs, 4x2s, I don’t think that’s where we want to be playing.

“It’s obvious that, you know, the leaders in the dual-cab market have more performance models, even more fleet models, maybe mining spec cars... we’re looking at all that.

“It’s certainly not the end of the story with Shark variants.”

Also speaking with carsales at the event, BYD Australia chief product officer Sajid Hasan said a version of the cab-chassis with 3.5-tonne towing would all but certainly arrive later this year, however, definitive timing is yet to be locked in.

For now, the Shark 6 cab-chassis is available in a single Dynamic grade from $55,900 before on-road costs, slotting in below the Premium and new Performance variants.