BYD announces $4,000 cash back rebate for its top-selling Shark 6 plug-in pickup truck model
The BYD Shark 6, a new plug-in hybrid ute, has made a significant impact on the Australian market, directly challenging traditional best-sellers like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
Launched in October 2024, the Shark 6 is now available in four colour options: Great White, Tidal Black, Deep Sea Blue, and Outback Orange, with the latter three costing an additional $700 over the Great White. The Shark 6 has a starting price of $57,900 before on-roads, making it an appealing alternative to diesel-powered utes, particularly for those seeking greener options and cost savings.
The Shark 6 is equipped with BYD's dual-mode off-road (DM-O) technology and two electric motors, one on each front and rear axle. It boasts an electric-only range of up to 100 km due to a 29.58 kWh BYD blade battery, and a combined total driving range of up to 800 kilometres. The blade battery pack can be charged by the ute's 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The Shark 6 offers 2.5 tonnes of brake towing capacity and vehicle to load (V2L) capability, allowing it to charge other equipment when on a work site, camping, or powering a laptop. To further boost sales, BYD has recently introduced a $4,000 cashback incentive for new in-stock Shark 6 Premium utes.
In June 2025, the Shark 6 sold 2,993 units, making it the fifth best-selling vehicle model in Australia that month, just narrowly behind the Isuzu D-Max by 126 units. Year-to-date in 2025, BYD has sold over 10,424 Shark 6 utes, accounting for 51% of its total Australian sales. BYD's overall June 2025 sales surged by 367.9% year-on-year, reaching a 6.4% market share and breaking records for a Chinese brand in Australia, with the Shark 6 as the key driver.
BYD has jumped to become the fifth best-selling brand in Australia, surpassing established players like Kia and Mitsubishi, largely thanks to the Shark 6's success. Although the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger remain leading sellers, with about twice the monthly sales volume compared to the Shark 6 in June 2025, the Shark 6's strong market entry and sales momentum suggest it's carving out a substantial niche in the highly competitive ute segment, which traditionally favors robust diesel vehicles.
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop, a company specializing in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends, has a passion for cars, particularly EVs. He believes that the Shark 6's success is indicative of shifting consumer preferences towards electrification in light vehicles. Interested buyers who order a new Shark 6 Premium ute will receive $4,000 in cash back within 7 days of taking delivery of the vehicle.
In conclusion, the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute is a strong new entrant disrupting the traditional diesel ute market. Its rapid sales growth reflects shifting consumer preferences towards electrification in light vehicles, and its competitive pricing strategy and innovative features make it an appealing alternative to traditional utes.
The BYD Shark 6, with its electric motors and electric-only range of up to 100 km, is challenging the traditional diesel-powered utes like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, signifying a shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in the lifestyle choices of consumers. The success of the Shark 6, combined with the increasing preferences towards electrification, may soon redefine the Australian market, particularly in the automotive sector, where technology plays a crucial role.
