Shark 6 takeover! BYD details huge sales promise which would see the Chinese plug-in dual-cab knock off Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and more

BYD has detailed the stunning sales target for its Shark 6 dual-cab which would see the plug-in petrol ute knock off some of Australia's biggest diesel names in 2025.

The brand used the launch of its Tesla Model Y-hunting Sealion 7 to revel in the success of the Shark 6, saying the 2025 target for the plug-in hybrid ute would rocket it to a near-podium position for 4X4 ute sales in Australia.

The brand says it already holds between 5000 and 6000 orders for the vehicle, and says it expects to add in excess of 10,000 sales before the end of 2025.

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"We're very happy with where Shark is, this month [February] will be a record month," says David Smitherman, the Chief Executive Officer of BYD importer EVDirect.

"The ultimate way to validate anything is the scoreboard. It's going to be north of 15,000 (sales this year)."

In terms of straight 4X4 sales, that number would have made the Shark the fourth best-selling 4WD dual-cab in Australia last year, trailing only the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

2025 BYD Shark 6 (image: Tom White)

In 4X4 sales, it would have finished ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton (14,737 sales), the Mazda BT-50 (12,161 sales) and the Nissan Navara (9032 sales). Though it must be said that those numbers don't include the 4X2 sales of those models.

It would be a staggering result for a new(ish) brand to Australia whose first ute defies diesel convention, offering only a petrol plug-in powertrain with maximum 2.5-tonne towing limit.

2025 BYD Shark 6 (image: Tom White)

Unlike the segment leaders, the Shark 6 pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that delivers 135kW and 260Nm of torque with a 170kW/310Nm electric motor at the front axle, and a second 150kW/340Nm electric motor over the back axle. Together, they produce 321kW and 650Nm.

"I like simplicity. We have one trim. It's simple to sell and stock... and I think it's a good enough vehicle to really attract a lot of new buyers," Mr Smitherman says.

"I think we've always though that the growth has top be in PHEV, and I think for who the ute and owner is, they're looking for range and comfort and we've packaged a vehicle for them."