BYD Launches Shark Pickup Truck in Brazil to Challenge Toyota and Ford
BYD, a leading Chinese automaker, has made a big move in the Brazilian market with the launch of its first pickup truck, the Shark. The Shark is set to compete with top-selling models like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, marking an important step in BYD’s goal to become a major player in the automotive industry.
The launch event for the Shark took place in Goiania, Brazil, with pre-orders opening earlier this month at a starting price of $66,700 (BRZ 379,000). The Shark is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pickup truck with a powerful 429 horsepower engine. It is equipped with a 29.58 kWh BYD Blade Battery, offering an impressive all-electric NEDC range of up to 62 miles (100 km) and a combined NEDC range of over 520 miles (840 km).
While gas and diesel-powered trucks still dominate the Brazilian market, BYD is confident that the hybrid technology of the Shark will attract buyers. The company sees the booming agriculture sector in Brazil as a key driver of sales, with commercial customers like mining giant Vale expected to account for around 70% of Shark sales.
BYD’s commercial director in Brazil, Henrique Antunes, highlighted the potential of the pickup truck market in the agricultural sector, noting that even customers outside of this sector often look to agricultural businesses when purchasing a pickup truck. The Shark has already generated significant interest, with pre-orders surpassing those of BYD’s previous model, the Yuan Pro.
Antunes anticipates annual sales of between 10,000 and 15,000 Shark units, positioning it among the top five best-selling mid-size pickups in Brazil. To sweeten the deal for customers, BYD is offering a solar-charging kit, portable charger, and a year of free insurance with pre-orders.
The launch of the Shark comes as part of BYD’s wider strategy to expand its presence in Brazil. The company is investing over $1 billion (BRZ 5.5 billion) to establish a manufacturing plant in Bahia, where it plans to start assembling vehicles by December 2024. Full production is expected to commence in the first half of 2025, signaling BYD’s commitment to becoming a major player in the Brazilian automotive market.
With the Shark set to shake up the pickup truck segment in Brazil, BYD is poised to make a significant impact on the industry and solidify its position as a key player in the global automotive market.
