BYD to launch Shark pickup truck in South Africa in 2025

BYD will launch a number of new models in South Africa in 2025, including the Shark plug-in hybrid pickup truck. The company aims to strengthen its market positions in both passenger and commercial car markets.

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BYD entered South Africa in 2023 with the Atto 3 (Yuan Plus) as the launch car. Last year, the Chinese automaker introduced Dolphin and Seal electric cars to the market. Its current model line comprises three electric models. However, South African customers prefer HEVs and PHEVs over BEVs. So, BYD will launch more models in the market, including plug-in hybrids. One of them is the Shark pickup truck designed for overseas markets.

BYD Shark will enter South Africa

BYD will release the Shark pickup truck in South Africa in early 2025, according to the Chinese media Bitauto. The launch ceremony of this model (also known as BYD Shark 6) will happen later this year.

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The BYD Shark pickup truck was initially launched in the Mexican market in 2024. Later, this PHEV entered other countries like Brazil, Cambodia, and Australia. It is worth mentioning that the BYD Shark was named Australia’s Car of the Year 2024 by News Corp, despite deliveries didn’t start last year.

The BYD Shark pickup truck boasts hefty dimensions of 5457/1971/1925 mm with a wheelbase of 3260 mm. This PHEV has a towing capacity of 2500 kg. The Shark stands on the DMO platform. It comprises a 1.5-liter ICE with two electric motors. The combined power output of the system reaches 320 kW (429 hp) and 650 Nm. The Shark can speed up to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Another BYD Shark’s feature is the 29.6 kWh LFP battery, suitable for 100 km of NEDC electric range. The mixed range of this PHEV reaches 840 km with a fuel consumption rate of 7.5 liters per 100 km (NEDC). There is no information about the price of the BYD Shark for South Africa. For clarity, it starts from 899,980 pesos (43,800 USD) in Mexico, 379,800 real (60,800 USD) in Brazil, and 57,900 AUD (36,250 USD) in Australia.

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Other new BYD models in South Africa

According to the source, BYD will launch a number of models in South Africa. It wasn’t disclosed what cars are coming to the market. However, BYD South Africa general manager Steve Chang said that the company is trying to launch an EV in the local market with a price range between 300,000 and 350,000 South African rand (16,150 – 18,850 USD). CarNewsChina expects it is the BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini), which is BYD’s current cheapest car.

BYD will likely launch other PHEV models in South Africa since this type of vehicle is more popular than pure EVs here. It plans to expand its dealerships to 25 by the end of next year. The company also aims to ramp up its commercial vehicle business as it successfully secured an order for 120 buses from Golden Arrow in October 2024.