- BYD Shark 6 is Australia’s first plug-in hybrid ute.
- Launched a month ago, it is already delivering strong results.
- Yet, only 6% of the #1 Ford Ranger sales.
Just under a month ago, BYD and KIA went head to head with the launch of their first-ever ute products in the Australian market. One is a petrol beast with a unique design, the other a plug-in hybrid tech-packed monster that appears to be wooing new customers.
Whilst KIA has been fending off negative feedback about the Tasman’s appearance, it seems it’s only good news for the BYD Shark 6. Today, the brand has released initial sales figures, which appear to show mild success with Australian customers.
Whilst the truck isn’t available until late January 2025, the brand has clocked up over 4,000 sales of the SHARK 6 in around a month; not bad for Australia’s first PHEV Ute. Already on its way to Australia, could the BYD overtake the titans of towing like the Nissan Navara or Ford Ranger? It’s unlikely, but it will be interesting to see this play out.
What’s the difference between the KIA Tasman and the BYD Shark 6?
The Australian ute market has been shaken up with the arrival of two game-changing entrants: the Kia Tasman and the BYD Shark 6. Launched almost simultaneously, these new models have introduced a fresh dynamic to the segment dominated by favourites like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
The BYD Shark 6 makes history as Australia’s first plug-in hybrid ute. With a starting price of $57,900, it offers extraordinary power — 321kW and 650Nm — eclipsing even high-performance models like the Ford Ranger Raptor. Equipped with a range-extended electric drivetrain and a tech-heavy interior, it promises fuel consumption as low as 2.0L/100km if charged regularly. For tradies, the Shark 6’s V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability adds a practical edge, enabling tools and devices to be powered directly from the ute.
In contrast, the Kia Tasman takes a more traditional approach, offering a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with 154kW and 441Nm, plus a competitive 3500kg towing capacity. Its bold, unconventional design is set to divide opinions but ensures it stands out among rivals.
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While Kia targets late 2025 for Tasman’s launch, BYD’s electrified ute will be on Australian roads by January 2025, giving them a big head start in the market.
With both appealing to distinct audiences, the competition in Australia’s thriving ute market just got fiercer.
How many utes are sold in Australia each year? A lot.
To put BYD’s initial sales into perspective, the Australian ute market sales are staggeringly large. Around 240,000 new utes are sold in Australia each year, and the number is increasing by about 11% annually.
In 2023, the Ford Ranger was the best-selling ute in Australia, with 63,356 deliveries. So BYD has chipped away at just 6% of Ford’s lead.
| Model | 2023 sales |
|---|---|
| Ford Ranger | 63,356 |
| Toyota HiLux | 61,111 |
| Isuzu D-Max | 31,202 |
| Mazda BT-50 | 17,526 |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 16,641 |
| Toyota LandCruiser pick-up/cab-chassis | 11,414 |
| GWM Ute | 9616 |
| LDV T60/eT60 | 9106 |
| Nissan Navara | 8499 |
| Volkswagen Amarok | 6626 |
| Ram 1500 | 5922 |
