When it comes to midsize pickup trucks, you have the usual suspects. There’s the Japanese brands and Ford that currently rule the segment, practically the default choices in its class.
But recently, there has been a wave of new pickups from China. There’s no shortage of them right now, and, most recently, there’s a brewing contender from BYD.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
On the NAIA T3 incident: Who is liable when a parking lot catches fire?
EDSA-Kamuning Flyover closure begins May 1; to last 6 months, not 11
Entering soon in the hotly contested segment is the BYD Shark. The Chinese automaker recently previewed the pickup, and it’s safe to say it’s going all in and taking aim at the likes of Hilux, Ranger, and Triton. A bold move given that it’s the company’s first real attempt at a midsize truck.
For now, the Shark is all covered up in colorful camouflage. However, we do see its squared-off front end and chiseled box-flare wheelarches. The general profile is, well, boxy, as it seems to be the trend in the segment at the moment. Just take a look at the Ranger and Triton.
There are no photos of the interior just yet. However, given that Chinese automakers love slapping massive screens on their automotive products, there’s a good chance we’ll see the same in the Shark. We’re not expecting a lot of buttons on the dashboard, either.
It’s under the hood that’s of interest. For now, there’s no mention of a turbodiesel engine. Instead, the BYD Shark will come with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, at least initially. The electrified truck is expected to pack over 400hp, but some motoring sites that it could go as high as 600hp. BYD could add non-electrified powertrain options, but that’s only if it wants to chase volume and snag some sales away from the Japanese and the Americans.
Per the company, the Shark will be a global model. It remains to b seen just how global it will be, but Thailand should be a good indicator of its chances in Southeast Asia. Should it be previewed in neighboring countries, then there’s a small chance it will launch here.
