DETROIT — Chinese automaker BYD Auto is expanding its reach and product portfolio with a pickup truck that bears a striking resemblance to American-made vehicles.
The BYD Shark, a midsize pickup truck with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, features uncanny exterior design similarities to Ford’s F-150 and Explorer. The vehicle’s design has drawn attention from global automakers, including Ford and Toyota, which rely heavily on sales of smaller pickup trucks globally.
While BYD has not announced plans to sell the Shark in the U.S., the company has entered markets where General Motors, Ford, and Toyota sell pickup trucks, including Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. The Shark starts at around 899,980 pesos ($44,000) in Mexico, making it a more affordable option compared to many hybrid or all-electric trucks in the U.S.
Benchmarking companies like Caresoft Global have taken notice of the BYD Shark, praising its impressive build quality and overall design. However, they have also noted some quirks and “shared” best practices with current pickups by Ford and GM.
The BYD Shark is expected to help the automaker grow its sales and profits, with Wall Street analysts predicting the company will continue to increase its global sales this year to around 5.5 million vehicles.
The vehicle’s hybrid powertrain combines electric vehicle components such as a battery and electric motors with a small 1.5-liter internal combustion engine, allowing it to operate as an all-electric vehicle or have the engine power its batteries and electric motors. The range of the vehicle is over 500 combined miles between the battery and engine.
As the BYD Shark gains traction globally, it is likely to put pressure on American automakers to compete, particularly in markets where smaller pickup trucks are more popular. Ford CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged the competition, stating that the company needs to be prepared to respond to the global needs of the global markets.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has also taken notice of the BYD Shark, stating that the company needs to be prepared to respond to the global competition and focus on the needs of each individual market.