Key Points
- BYD Australia has expanded the Shark 6 to three variants: the Dynamic Cab-Chassis at $55,900, Premium at $57,900, and Performance at $62,900 before on-road costs.
- BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins says more Shark 6 variants are on the table, including a possible Performance cab-chassis and mining-spec models.
- A fully electric Shark is not on BYD Australia's current product plan, but Collins says it is under discussion, particularly for mining customers.
BYD Australia has expanded the Shark 6 lineup to three variants, adding the Dynamic Cab-Chassis and the range-topping Performance alongside the existing Premium dual-cab. But at the launch event, BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins made clear the expansion is not finished.
Speaking to media including zecar, Collins said BYD Australia is actively exploring further variants. The question on most buyers' minds, though, is whether a fully electric Shark will ever make it to Australia.
Three Variants, Three Price Points
The 2026 Shark 6 lineup now spans three grades. The Dynamic Cab-Chassis opens the range at $55,900, aimed at tradies and fleet buyers who want to fit their own tray or service body. An alloy tray developed with Ironman 4x4, featuring eight tie-down points and two lockable storage boxes, will be priced separately.
The Premium dual-cab sits at $57,900, unchanged from launch. At the top is the Performance at $62,900, which adds a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, 350kW and 700Nm, and a 3500kg braked towing rating. The Performance arrives in May 2026
2026 BYD Shark 6 Variant Comparison
Spec | Dynamic Cab-Chassis | Premium | Performance |
Price (before on-roads) | $55,900 | $57,900 | $62,900 |
Power / Torque | 321kW / 650Nm | 321kW / 650Nm | 350kW / 700Nm |
Braked towing | 2500kg | 2500kg | 3500kg |
Engine | 1.5-litre PHEV | 1.5-litre PHEV | 2.0-litre PHEV |
Body | Cab-chassis | Dual-cab pickup | Dual-cab pickup |
▶️READ MORE: BYD Shark 6 Range Expands to Three Models
What Other Variants Are Being Considered
Collins was candid about the appetite for further variants. Speaking to zecar, he said BYD Australia has a strong voice in the brand's R&D decisions, in part because the Shark 6 has become a lead market for the model globally.
"We've got a sort of direct link into our R&D facility, so we're looking at more options and we think there's more scope," Collins told zecar. "I think a lot of it is local engineering, local input. We have a close relationship with Iron Man, and we have for some time, but local engineering and local testing is just a proven formula."
When asked directly about a Performance cab-chassis variant, Collins confirmed it has been considered. "Yeah, it's been considered. So I would hope so. We'll see how this model goes, but yeah, it's definitely on the list," he told media at the launch.
Collins also flagged that BYD Australia is exploring both ends of the market. At the top end that could mean more performance and capability. At the bottom it could mean a fleet or mining specification, possibly even a single-cab body style. "I still think there's opportunities there," he said. "Hopefully this won't be the end."
Collins did note one constraint. BYD also sells the Denza brand in some markets, and the Shark 6 range needs to be positioned so the two brands do not compete directly in the same segment. "We do also have to make sure that we can have the two brands positioned appropriately," he said.
Will There Be a Fully Electric Shark?
This is the question most EV buyers are asking. The Shark 6 is a plug-in hybrid, not a battery electric vehicle. When asked directly whether a fully electric version is coming, Collins was measured.
"It's not on the horizon, because I guess I define a horizon as I can see it, and I can tell when it's going," Collins said. When pressed on whether that meant within the next 18 months, he confirmed that was approximately his definition.
Collins did say discussions are happening, and that mining customers are a key driver of that interest. "We've been in discussion with a number of mining companies, particularly where mining sites that don't have fuel on-site. So look, it's definitely under discussion," he said.
He also acknowledged the commercial challenge. Making a fully electric ute work is not a technical problem for BYD. It is a business model problem. "It's like every model. It's a combination of investment that is required. Can we share the volume with any other market? What volume can we do? How much would it substitute the current PHEV?" he said.
The comparison that came up in the conversation was the MG U9 EV ute, which is due to offer a battery electric version with around 430 kilometres of range. Collins suggested that figure may not be enough for many buyers, echoing a concern common across the industry.
Collins also recalled that just three years ago, the market was not seen as ready for a PHEV ute. The Shark 6 changed that. He left open the possibility that an electric ute could follow a similar path. "I think there's a market for it. Whether we can make it work is the question, not technically, but just as a business model," he said.
How BYD Australia Expects the Sales Mix to Break Down
Collins shared his planning assumptions on how the three variants will split. He expects the Premium to hold the majority of volume at around 55 per cent of Shark 6 sales. The Performance is forecast at about 25 per cent, with early demand likely to skew higher before settling. The Cab-Chassis is expected to make up approximately 20 per cent.
"Early days it'll be richer for Performance, because I think we've got a lot of interest in it, but that's where we think it'll land. But that's just our planning, often planning's not super accurate but you're doing all the data," Collins said.
The Shark 6 sold 18,073 units in Australia in 2025 from a single variant. It was Australia's 18th best-selling vehicle overall and outsold every ute except the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton.
▶️READ MORE: BYD Shark 6 Performance: 5 Things You Need to Know
Shark 6 as a Fleet Tool: The Bigger Picture
Collins confirmed the Shark 6 is central to BYD's push into fleet sales, alongside the Sealion 7 and Atto 2. He said BYD is targeting a 20 per cent fleet sales share, rising eventually to 35 per cent.
He also made clear that BYD's approach to fleet is not a short-term play. Residual values, whole-of-life cost and long-term commitment matter to fleet buyers, and BYD is working to build credibility in those areas. "For certain fleets, it's a big part of our push to show that we're committed long-term, because fleet we know is not a short-term play," he said.
On competition from incoming PHEV utes, including the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV, Collins said BYD is not interested in a price war. "On price, we're not interested in price wars. And I think our history will show that we set a price and we keep that price integrity," he said.
What to Expect Next
The Shark 6 range is not finished. A Performance cab-chassis is under consideration, and there is appetite at BYD Australia for mining-spec and more affordable variants depending on demand. Collins' comments suggest these decisions will be guided by how well the current three-variant range performs in the coming months.
On the electric question, buyers wanting a fully electric Shark will need to be patient. It is on BYD's wish list and under discussion with fleet and mining customers, but the business case still needs to be worked out. Collins did not rule it out permanently. He simply said he cannot see it yet.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
