BYD working on Ford F-150 rival for Australasia

Top-selling Chinese brand BYD is working on a full-size pickup, with its Asia Pacific boss confirming the company hasn’t abandoned plans for a larger dual-cab despite higher fuel prices.

Speaking to media in Melbourne, BYD Asia Pacific boss Liu Xueliang confirmed the brand – which placed fourth behind Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi in Australian sales last month – is continuing development of a larger ute to sit above its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

While the Shark 6 rivals the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux in size, the larger model would compete with full-size US pickups such as the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.

Mr Liu said feedback from Australian customers has highlighted demand for a larger ute, particularly from fleet buyers including mining companies.

“Some customers have requested a full-size Shark 6, similar in size to the Ford F-150,” he said, adding: “We are on our way to try to get there.”

No launch timing or further details have been confirmed for the larger BYD pickup.

It comes as BYD unveiled the first cab/chassis version of the Shark 6, which Mr Xueliang said was introduced in response to local customer feedback.

While the company has not confirmed a powertrain for its entry into the full-size segment, BYD currently produces only hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, meaning it is likely to adopt a hybrid setup similar to the Shark 6.

The Shark 6 became the first BYD pickup offered in New Zealand when it was launched in late 2024 in a single dual-cab pickup body style. Before BYD announced the higher-output Performance version and the Dynamic cab/chassis last week, it was available with a single all-wheel drive PHEV powertrain and in a single Premium equipment grade.

Despite this, the Shark 6 was New Zealand's best-selling PHEV ute last year with 1885 registrations.