BYD Delivers First 30 Shark Pickups to Philippines Customers in a Dusty, Muddy Launch Event

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

Last Updated on: 10th March 2025, 10:46 pm

BYD treated the automotive media, and then opened to the public, test drives over a small purpose-built track with elephant holes, right- and left-hand 45-degree turning inclines, a metal ramp to test hill hold and hill descent functions. Around that corner, a 700mm wading pool exits into a dusty slalom course where the Shark is run rally style.

It is on this same track that on the night of March 8 (Philippine time) the first 30 BYD Shark 6 DMO pickups were turned over to its customers. It wasn’t the usual unveiling; the public already knew what this hybrid pickup was all about. Still, an air of anticipation hung thick, drawn by the sleek, imposing presence of the electric utility transporter that looked like the lovechild of designs from Detroit and Yokohama.

“No, this really isn’t a launch,” BYD Cars Philippines Bob Palanca Managing Director told CleanTechnica at the tent during the media introduction. “We are introducing a more sustainable lifestyle. This is a groundbreaking vehicle, disrupting the Philippine automotive market. We know it will be a disruptor. And that’s our aim: to take deliberate steps toward a more transformative and tech-forward future. The BYD Shark 6 DMO blends electrified performance and rugged design, making it the perfect blend of adventure and resilience.”

Shark takes a bite out of the competition

What Bob is saying about disruption lies in the pricing and the positioning.

Pricing starts at P 2.098 million ($36,600) for the Advanced and P 2.298 million ($40,000) for the Premium. They are including a portable charger and a 7kW wallbox. There’s also a discount program for early buyers and existing customers. The messaging emphasizes low running costs, claiming a 42 percent saving over five years, with annual servicing. So, it’s a pretty comprehensive package, and they’re clearly aiming to shake up the pickup segment with this electric approach.

Carefully orchestrated, the test-drive was a “high allergy,” but definitely high energy, blend of technology and accessibility.

One by one, journalists and content creators stepped into the driver’s seat. Later, when the test drive activity opened to the public on the morning of March 8, a mix of seasoned enthusiasts and curious onlookers came to ride shotgun. The initial silence, the absence of a roaring engine, was a stark contrast to the typical pickup experience. The hum of the electric motors was a whisper, until the tires started to rip through the gravel.

Dis-Raptor

Given the specs and the pricing, it is clear that the biggest disruption of the Shark will be to the Ford Raptor.

How? First, forget traditional load-bearing frames. They’re using what they call a Dual Mode Off-road platform, or DMO. It’s still a ladder-on-frame, but the core strength comes from a Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) design. Think of it as integrating the battery pack directly into the chassis structure, resulting in seriously impressive torsional rigidity. Suspension’s independent double wishbones all around, and they’ve got vented discs at each corner, plus a proper spare underneath, which is a nice touch.

Now, let’s talk power. They’ve gone with a dual-motor setup. The front motor’s pushing 231 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque, while the rear’s got 204 horsepower and 340 Nm. Combined, we’re talking 435 horsepower and 650 Nm. That’s a lot for this segment. And the 0–100 km/h time? 5.7 seconds.

The juice comes from a 29.58-kWh LFP Blade Battery, which gives you about 100 kilometers of pure EV range. They’ve even swapped the 12-volt lead-acid for an LFP, claiming a 15-year lifespan. Charging? You’ve got AC at 7kW and DC at 55kW.

It is a PHEV, and has a BYD-built, longitudinally-mounted, turbocharged 1.5-liter gas generator, their EHS system. It’s rated at 184 horsepower and 260 Nm. As a hybrid, they’re claiming around 800 kilometers on a tank, with their local testing showing even higher figures. Towing capacity is 2,500 kilograms braked, the bed holds 1,200 liters, and payload’s 835 kilograms.

Off-road performance

Off-road specs? Approach angle is 31 degrees, departure’s 19.5, ramp-over’s 17. Ground clearance is 230 mm, and it’ll wade through 700 mm of water. They’ve opted for an intelligent electric all-wheel drive, rather than a traditional low-range or lockers. They’re betting on the speed of electronic torque distribution to give better traction. Six terrain modes and three drive modes give you some flexibility.

Size-wise, it’s a big truck. 5,455 mm long, 1,970 mm wide, and 1,925 mm tall. Design-wise, they’ve taken cues from its namesake, shark, with full-length LED lights and a through-type tail light. 18-inch wheels with 265/65R18 tires are standard. The bed’s got a liner, 220-volt outlets, and lighting. The Premium trim adds roof rails and a sports bar.

Inside, the 3,260 mm wheelbase translates to a spacious cabin, especially in the rear with a 27-degree recline. Tech-wise, you’ve got a 10.25-inch driver display and a rotating 12.8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power seats, and an 8-speaker system. The Premium trim adds heated/ventilated seats, a heads-up display, and a full ADAS suite. There are three color options, all with black interiors and leather seats.

Safety-wise, it’s got a 5-star ANCAP rating, six airbags, ABS, stability control, sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and a 360-degree camera.

The organizers made a display of overlanding, glamping accessories too.

Drivers emerged from the test drives with wide grins and animated conversations. The initial skepticism had melted away, replaced by a genuine sense of excitement. The Shark 6 DMO, we all realized, was not just an electric vehicle; it was a redefinition of what a pickup could be.