Shark attack! BYD set to expand Aussie Shark 6 ute line-up. Towing, power, payload and fleets all set to be addressed

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025 Bruce Newton 15851 Views 3500kg towing, BYD, MEG, Shark 6

The popular BYD Shark 6 ute line-up is set to expand in 2026.

A more powerful 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid Shark 6 with a full 3500kg braked towing capacity, fleet models and potentially even the much-anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor-fighting Shark 6 MEG are all either coming or under consideration.

A cab-chassis model is set for launch no later than early 2026, while the powered up Shark 6 with more towing capacity is under development and also a certainty for next year.

The current 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid Shark 6, which will continue on-sale alongside the new models, is restricted to a 2500kg braked towing capacity.

But BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said more options such as a cheaper Shark 6 pick-up aimed at fleets and the MEG were being considered.

“We know they are all opportunities, right? So, we’re just working through for next year what’s feasible, what’s not,” he said.

The dual-cab 4×4 cab-chassis Shark 6 is the first concrete evidence of a big BYD attack on the fleet market.

A new fleet sales department has been set up within factory-owned BYD Australia, which took over distribution of the Chinese car company’s model range here from independent EVDirect on July 1.

Growing fleet sales from the current five per cent to 15 per cent of volume is a cornerstone of BYD’s plans to continue to increase Australian sales.

Up an incredible 149 per cent year-on-year primarily due to the massive success of the Shark 6, BYD Australia has set itself the task of becoming a top three sales player as soon as 2026.

That sales ambition is detailed in a separate news story published on EV Central.

Non-private buyers account for 80 per cent of all ute sales and a 4×4 cab chassis that allows personalisation of the load area is one of the key models for fleet sales.

“Cab-chassis has been worked on for some time now,” confirmed Collins.

“We think fleet is a big opportunity for us.”

Collins also hinted a cheaper fleet version of the pick-up might also be offered.

The 2500kg braked towing capacity of the Shark 6 has long been one of its identified shortfalls versus its diesel opposition led by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, which claim 3500kg braked towing.

It’s been known BYD has been working on a solution for some time. It’s also likely to include a bump in payload from the current 790kg limit, which would be handy for fleet models too.

The 2.0-litre DM-O (dual motor off-road) powertrain would be fundamentally the same as the incoming Denza B8, which makes 550kW/760Nm in Chinese domestic trim.

The current Shark 6 makes 321kW/650Nm.

Installing this powertrain in the Shark 6 also opens up the possibility of the Ranger Raptor-rivalling Shark 6 MEG launching.

At a recent BYD media launch at the Lang Lang proving ground examples of the 2.0-litre Shark 6 were seen undergoing tow testing.

“We have heard loud and clear the feedback [on 3500kg towing],” said Collins. “But having said that the current Shark is still extremely competitive.

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“And we are really, really happy with it. And not every customer wants to tow three-and-a-half-tonne.

“Clearly, it [towing increase] is a priority based on the feedback that we’ve had … the towing capacity issue, we’ll address and we will.”

Collins wouldn’t be tied down to launch timing for the 3.5-tonne towing Shark 6, except that it will be in 2026.

“I honestly don’t know. I say that truthfully because it’s moving around. So, what I can guarantee is we’ll get it as soon as we can.”

The single Shark 6 currently sold in Australia is priced at $57,900 plus on-road costs. To the end of September 2025, 14,111 have been sold, making it Australia’s fourth most popular 4×4 ute.