SHARK ATTACK

BYD's long-awaited pick-up is going after adventurous buyers with its tough looks. —CONTRIBUTED

BYD Cars Philippines is continuing its seemingly ceaseless quest to conquer the local automotive market by launching its first-ever pick-up truck.

The all-new 2025 BYD Shark 6 DMO was officially unveiled on Friday at the Aseana City Open Grounds in Pasay City. It is expected to directly take on the Ford Ranger Raptor V6, which is the reigning king of the premium, off-road-oriented pick-ups, as of press time.

BYD Cars Philippines said guests can try out its newest aquatic friend at the Experience Electric Expo on March 8 to 9 at the Aseana City Open Grounds. The company added that it is now accepting reservations for the Shark 6 DMO, which is available in either Advanced or Premium variants.

“The BYD Shark 6 SMO is set to be another game-changer for BYD in the Philippines, pioneering the electrified pick-up truck segment with its blend of advanced technology and off-road capabilities,” said BYD Cars Philippines managing director Bob Palanca.

“Build to conquer challenging terrain while providing refined everyday comfort, it’s redefining what a pick-up truck can do and setting a new standard in the segment,” he added.

The first batch of BYD Shark 6 DMO owners on stage during the public launch after being given the symbolic keys to their units. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

ACMobility Chief Executive Officer Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala is joined by BYD Cars Philippines Managing Director Bob Palanca, BYD Cars Philippines Country Head Aiffy Liu and other top executives at the launch.

Chunky style

Much like its American rival, BYD’s long-awaited pick-up is going after adventurous buyers with its tough looks.

All models get huge automatic LED headlights, with the Premium model including high-beam assist. And the Ford-esque LED daytime running lights that frame that front end further emphasize the massive BYD logo.

The Shark 6 DMO may not have the huge fender flares of the Ranger Raptor V6, but it gets hardy plastic trim for maximum protection on rough surfaces and a generous 230 millimeters of ground clearance. These compliment the big side steps and the two-tone, 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/65 series tires.

At the back, the Advanced and Premium models get spray-on liner for the 835-kilogram-payload bed, but only the top-spec variant has aluminum roof rails and a sports bar. The large LED taillights also book-end the tailgate, which can be opened with just the press of a button, while the rear LED light strip emphasizes the BYD’s width.

Hardy yet plush

Inside, the Shark 6 DMO tries to emulate the Land Rover Discovery with a cabin that combines premium materials and a chunky aesthetic.

Orange accents on the air-con vents and center console brighten up the black leather interior, while the 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster incorporates all the familiar BYD numbers, such as the available range on gasoline and electricity.

BYD’s famous rotating touchscreen infotainment system measures 12.8 inches in the Shark 6 DMO, incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an 8-speaker surround-sound system.

All models get electrically adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control and a 360-degree camera system, but only the Premium model comes with a heads-up display, ventilated front seats, a negative-ion air purifier and a PM2.5 filter.

Most powerful pick-up

Where the Shark 6 DMO really outshines the Ranger Raptor V6 is the powertrain.

Under the BYD’s hood is a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to a 29.6-kWh battery and electric motors on the front and rear axles. Combined output is a stunning 429 horsepower and 650 Newton-meters of torque, which BYD Cars Philippines claims is enough for 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h.

For comparison, the Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve V6 gasoline engine produces 392 horsepower and 583 Newton-meters of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Shark 6 DMO also has a claimed maximum electric range of 100 kilometers and has been tested to over 1,100 kilometers on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. As with other BYD models, this pick-up has vehicle-to-load function that lets you plug in various electrical items, which is greatly useful in camping trips.

A major highlight of the Shark 6 DMO is its double-wishbone suspension on all four wheels – we found it much smoother over rough surfaces and big ruts than the Ranger Raptor. With available Mud, Sand and Snow driving modes, its electric motors did most of the work in traversing tough obstacles, although throttle response at higher speeds seemed lacking.

All models get front, side and curtain airbags, as well as hill hold control, hill descent control and an anti-rollover control system. Sadly, only the more expensive Premium variant gets the clever DiPilot advanced driver assistance system that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, emergency lane keeping assist and rear cross traffic braking.

A new king?

Though pick-ups have long been known for being utilitarian haulers, the emergence of the country’s adventure market has led to these beasts of burden becoming aspirational status symbols.

The Ford Ranger Raptor was undoubtedly the first in the scene. But the BYD Shark 6 DMO wades into battle packing the latest technology from the world’s best-selling electric-vehicle manufacturer.

This electrified pick-up truck will likely be a strong contender, given how the Sealion 6 DM-i and Seal 5 DM-i sedan have raked in throngs of buyers by fulfilling BYD Cars Philippines’ promise of offering highly energy-efficient and technologically advanced vehicles for jaw-dropping prices.

And jaw-dropping the prices are for the Shark 6 DMO – the Advanced model costs P2,098,000 and the Premium variant is priced at P2,298,000. To sweeten the deal, BYD Cars Philippines said first-time BYD customers who buy the electrified pick-up by March 31 will be entitled to a P50,000 discount.

In addition, current BYD owners who buy a Shark 6 DMO by March 31 can get an additional P50,000 discount for a total of P100,000 off. The company added that the P100,000 discount can also be applied to customers who were referred by existing BYD owners.

The BYD Shark 6 DMO is available in three colors – Deep Sea Blue, Cosmos Black and Aurora White. All units get an 8-year/160,000-kilometer warranty for the BYD Blade battery, an 8-year/150,000-kilometer warranty for the drive unit and a 6-year/150,000-kilometer warranty for the vehicle.

It looks like the sea of traditional 4×4 pick-ups is about to get testy with this Shark infestation.