Posted on 17 May 2024
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD launched a mid-size plug-in hybrid pickup truck named Shark in Mexico, Kallanish learns from the company.
Pricing starts at MXN 899,980 ($53,821) for the Shark GL and MXN 969,800 for the Shark GS. According to BYD Mexico’s website, the more expensive GS version has more assistant-driving smart features.
With a single full charge, the PHEV can travel up to 100 kilometres in pure electric mode; the electric and combustion mileage can reach 840 km. This pickup truck consumes 7.5 litres of fuel/100 km.
The vehicle also provides three special driving modes: sand, mud and snow. It has a towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes and a load capacity of 835 kg. Its competitors are said to be compact and mid-size trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger.
The carmaker says that Shark is only currently available in Mexico, and that this is the first time it has launched a new product outside of China first.
Stella Li, ceo of BYD Americas, says: “BYD chose Mexico because of the country’s rapidly growing demand for pickup trucks.”
Concerning the recent surge in US import tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100%, Li comments: “Higher tariffs will have no impact on BYD as BYD plans to build a factory in Mexico. We have no plans to enter the US market, so this announcement has no impact on us.”
The executive says the company has narrowed down potential sites for its plant in Mexico, and a decision will be made by year-end. “The plant is expected to have a production capacity of 150,000 vehicles/year and will take two to three years to be constructed,” she adds.
BYD is also building an EV plant in Brazil’s Bahia state.
Source:Kallanish
