BYD Pickup Will Come In Two Flavors – PHEV And BEV

Before the end of this year, BYD plans to launch its pickup truck in Australia, Asia, and several other international markets. The company has been expanding its electric vehicle offerings across different market segments, and now it is aiming for the rapidly growing pickup truck space in China.

While Americans are known for their love of pickup trucks, Australians and New Zealanders have a similar fondness for utes, which are smaller vehicles popular in the region. The demand is for more compact vehicles, typical of the size of the Toyota Tacoma or Ford Ranger. The adaptation of the vehicles is to suit the practical needs of the region.

Car News China reports that the demand for pickup trucks is rising in China, and many manufacturers are launching new products to meet this demand, including BYD. However, domestic demand for pickup trucks in China is still lower compared to SUVs and sedans, indicating a potential opportunity for BYD to target overseas markets with its new product.

Based on available photos and videos, the BYD pickup truck closely resembles a scaled down Ford F-150, which has been a best selling pickup truck for more than fifty years. The truck was designed by a team led by former BMW designer Wolfgang Egger, and the design draws inspiration from the F-150, including the headlights. Development of the pickup truck has involved input from Ford and GM engineers familiar with pickup truck production.

While BYD has not made an official announcement about its pickup truck, Car News China reports that the plug-in hybrid version will debut later this year, with the battery electric version slated for production in 2025. The specifications are not yet available, but there are speculations that the truck will come standard with one electric motor driving the rear wheels, and a dual motor, all wheel drive version as an option. The plug-in hybrid version could have a turbocharged 1.5 liter engine with 185 horsepower, while the dual motor battery model could have as much as 500 horsepower.

Overall, the estimated length of the BYD pickup truck is 5.3 meters (17.4 feet) — almost a full meter shorter than a Ford F-150. The interior includes a center touchscreen that can be oriented either horizontally or vertically, along with an AR-HUD heads up display from Huawei. Additionally, the pickup truck will have independent rear suspension, a feature uncommon in the world of pickup trucks, indicating a focus on passenger comfort over maximum towing or hauling capacity.

BYD Export Plans

BYD could potentially sell the pickup truck in various international markets, except the United States. It may find a market in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The company could capitalize on the demand for electric pickup trucks in these regions, offering an alternative to the ground pounding behemoths in the US market.

The future of sales could see the model being a success without any US sales. As Chinese manufacturers continue offering appealing electric vehicles, it may not be long before American consumers see more affordable and attractive options from China.