At the recent Bangkok International Motor Show, the prominent Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD unveiled its latest offering in the pickup truck segment, the robust and technologically advanced Shark 6. This new contender in the utility vehicle market is priced at 1,699,000 Thai Baht, which translates to approximately 50,000 US dollars. The BYD Shark 6 is constructed upon BYD’s sophisticated DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform, a key architectural feature that incorporates a traditional body-on-frame structure, renowned for its durability and off-road capability. Furthermore, the vehicle boasts an independent double A-arm suspension system for both the front and rear axles, a design choice that typically contributes to enhanced ride comfort and improved handling characteristics, both on and off paved surfaces. In terms of its physical dimensions, the BYD Shark 6 measures an impressive 5457 millimeters in length, 1917 millimeters in width, and 1925 millimeters in height, with a substantial wheelbase of 3260 millimeters. These measurements indicate that the Shark 6 is notably larger than the Ford Ranger, a consistently strong seller and a benchmark in the upper-tier pickup truck market within Thailand. Beyond its introduction in Thailand, the BYD Shark 6 is slated for distribution to various international markets, including Mexico, Australia, and Brazil. Interestingly, in some of these regions, the vehicle will be marketed under the simplified name of just "Shark," omitting the numerical suffix.
The powertrain of the BYD Shark 6 represents a significant departure from conventional pickup truck powertrains. It features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine; however, this engine does not directly power the wheels. Instead, its sole function is to act as a generator, responsible for charging the vehicle's battery pack and providing power to two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. These electric motors, one positioned at the front axle and the other at the rear, work in concert to provide all-wheel-drive capability and impressive performance. The combined power output of these two electric motors reaches a substantial 430 horsepower, accompanied by a formidable 650 Newton-meters of torque. This potent electric powertrain enables the relatively large and robust Shark 6 to accelerate from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in a remarkably quick 5.7 seconds, a figure that is particularly noteworthy for a pickup truck with a curb weight of 2710 kilograms. The energy for these electric motors is stored in a 29.58 kWh Blade battery, BYD’s proprietary battery technology known for its energy density and safety characteristics. The combination of the efficient powertrain and the battery capacity allows the BYD Shark 6 to achieve a combined driving range of 800 kilometers, offering a blend of performance and practicality for both everyday use and longer journeys.
It is important to note that BYD is not the pioneering Chinese automotive brand to venture into the pickup truck segment within the Thai market. Great Wall Motor (GWM) made its entry in 2024 with the launch of the Poer Sahar pickup truck. The GWM Poer Sahar is offered in three distinct trim levels: Ultra 4WD, Pro, and Single Cab, catering to a range of customer needs and preferences. All variants of the Poer Sahar feature a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) system, which combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor. The gasoline engine in the Poer Sahar produces 244 horsepower and 380 Newton-meters of torque, while the accompanying electric motor delivers an additional 106 horsepower and 268 Newton-meters of torque, providing a combined system output. The pricing for the GWM Poer Sahar in Thailand ranges from 1,129,000 to 1,389,000 Thai baht, which translates to approximately 33,200 to 40,900 US dollars, positioning it in a slightly lower price bracket compared to the newly introduced BYD Shark 6. The entry of both BYD and GWM into the Thai pickup truck market signifies a growing trend of Chinese automotive manufacturers expanding their presence and offering innovative and technologically advanced vehicles in this traditionally competitive segment. The BYD Shark 6, with its unique electric-focused powertrain and larger dimensions, aims to differentiate itself from existing offerings and appeal to consumers seeking a blend of performance, range, and utility.