BYD Shark 6: Australian deliveries begin, but some customers face delays

The first BYD Shark 6 customer in Australia has been handed the keys to their plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, as local deliveries commence.

The handover took place at BYD’s Brisbane showroom, with the first customer-delivered Shark 6 finished in white.

BYD has warned, however, that there are thousands more Shark 6s on boats that are waiting to be unloaded, following delays by industrial action at ports.

Setting this aside, the company says it should take six to eight weeks for customers to take delivery after ordering their Shark 6.

The CEO of local distributor EVDirect, David Smitherman, said: “We are hopeful that this will be resolved soon.”

The first customer to take delivery, Ben Hillier, bought a Shark 6 to replace his Mitsubishi Triton.

“It’s a lot more fun, it’s a lot more practical for camping, and powering your campsite, powering your house,” Mr Hillier told CarExpert.

“It drives like an EV, it’s got all the tech in the world,” he added, noting he can charge it using his home solar setup.

“I’ve always got a ute, I don’t do anything hardcore, I go to Fraser Island [K’Gari] once a year, I tow the boat on the weekend, it’s not a massive boat – I’m in the middle of the road [and] it suits my needs.

“You’ve got no range anxiety. I can’t imagine ever buying an electric ute.

“This is a jerry can of fuel away from another week of camping if you want.”

Mr Hillier placed his order back in October, on the night orders opened for the Shark 6.

The Shark 6 is Australia’s first PHEV ute and sees BYD beat Ford and GWM to market with such a vehicle. The upcoming Ranger PHEV and Cannon Alpha Hi-4T are also due to arrive here during 2025.

Demand from the Shark 6 has been strong out of the gate.

BYD’s Australian distributor – EVDirect – had recorded close to 4000 orders for the new Shark 6 by the end of November, after it opened orders on October 29 and previously promised just 2000 examples for Australia initially.

It now says it has recorded more than 5500 orders.

BYD’s first ute is available in a single dual-can 4×4 specification, priced at $57,900 before on-road costs.

This sees it undercut the likes of the Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo dual-cab ($63,640 before on-roads) and the Toyota HiLux SR5 with V-Active Technology ($63,260 before on-roads).

Powering the Shark 6 is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, plus two electric motors (one on each axle), and a 29.58kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

The powertrain produces total outputs of 321kW and 650Nm, sent to all four wheels.

BYD claims an electric-only driving range of 100km (NEDC), with fuel economy as low as 2.0L/100km when running as a hybrid with the battery charged.

The Shark 6 has a braked towing capacity of 2500kg – down on the 3500kg figure of most Ranger models, including the upcoming PHEV.

MORE: Everything BYD Shark 6