'They're rattled': BYD says the Shark 6 has Ford Ranger ute on the ropes after the Blue Oval insists Australians only want utes that can tow

A mid-week press release from Ford citing in-house research that showed "sixty per cent of Australian drivers would be more likely to buy an electrified vehicle if it offered greater towing capability" – before highlighting the Ranger PHEV's 3.5-tonne towing capacity – didn't go unnoticed at BYD's Australian offices, with one executive suggesting the move proved the Shark 6 has the Blue Oval rattled.

Either by accident or by design, the release did seem to be a response to the launch of the BYD Shark 6 – another plug-in dual-cab ute – which offers a 790kg payload and a 2500kg maximum braked towing capacity.

"It was clearly a direct shot at the overwhelming successful launch of the Shark, and at how well its been embraced by the public so far," said Luke Todd, MD and executive chair of EV Direct.

Read More About BYD Shark 6

The Ford Ranger we've been waiting for? 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV brings plug-in hybrid grunt to tackle the BYD Shark and future electrified Toyota HiLux and Mitsubishi Triton versions 'The next battleground': Why Ford isn't worried about the BYD Shark 6 or GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV challenging Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid ute Latest on the BYD Shark 6 electric ute and hybrid circling around the Isuzu D-Max EV, Ford Ranger Electric, LDV e-Terron 9 and more

"We've never shied away from the fact that there are people who want 3.5-tonne towing and a larger payload. But what the BYD Shark offers is a vehicle that, for the majority of people in that market, does everything they want.

"It's really resonated with the consumers. And will even more so once we start doing proper test drives."

Mr Todd went on to point to the success of the BYD Shark 6 in Australia, which has attracted in excess of 4000 pre-orders, and some 15,000 additional expressions of interest ahead of is January 2025 launch.

"It's unbelievable, considering we only have a certain number of vehicles in the country, and test drives are limited," he said.

"We're not out to do anything but bring the best quality vehicles at the best price, and we've demonstrated that – this is the fifth vehicle we've released. We're doing us, and it's resonating very well, and clearly some of the competition are a bit rattled."

Ford's research spoke to 1470 people across Australia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates and found 60 per cent were ‘more likely’ to buy an electrified vehicle if it had solid towing ability. How many of those people were in Australia isn't clear.

Separately, Ford Australia accessed data from some 10,000 Ranger customers, and found 30 per cent (or 3490 vehicles) logged "heavy" towing journeys that used the brand's integrated trailer brake controller.

“When the Ranger PHEV arrives here in 2025, buyers can rest assured it has been developed with their needs in mind, providing the full Ranger experience, including 3500kg towing and off-road capability, along with the added benefit of electric-only driving and off-grid power via Pro Power Onboard,” said Ambrose Henderson, marketing director, Ford Australia, said in the accompanying release.

Ford Australia declined to comment further.