Less than a week after Australia’s first electric ute arrived in showrooms, images of BYD’s battery-powered pick-up have surfaced online.
Chinese electric car specialist BYD is set to join the world’s dual-cab ute market, with an image of a prototype pick-up appearing in overseas reports – and it could come to Australia.
According to Car China News, the BYD ute was spied shortly after the carmaker celebrated its three millionth hybrid and electric vehicle rolling off the production line last week.
Details about the ute’s size are yet to be confirmed, however it appears to be longer and taller than a mid-size SUV – despite its short bonnet.
Car News China claims BYD’s ute will be available with a choice of petrol hybrid engines, as well as electric-only variants, in its home market when it launches next year.
In August, BYD’s local distributor, EV Direct, told Drive its ambitious Australian rollout plans included an electric dual-cab ute and a large electric SUV.
“We love the ute. We have a product that’s been in development for some time,” said EV Direct CEO Luke Todd.
“We will hold back on announcing actual timing, but what I can say is when the BYD electric ute does come to the country, it will be a game-changer.”
BYD currently sells just one model in Australia – the Atto 3 SUV – although it was the second best-selling electric car brand throughout September and October, with its 889 registrations ranking it second behind Tesla.
The Chinese car-maker’s Australian expansion is due to continue in 2023 with two new models reportedly on the way – a small hatchback and mid-size sedan.
While BYD plans to be one of the first companies in Australia to offer an electric dual-cab ute, it will not be the pioneer after fellow Chinese carmaker LDV launched the eT60 earlier this week.
Priced from $92,990 plus on-road costs, the LDV eT60 is costs more than twice as much as the flagship diesel-powered T60, while it is also $7500 more expensive than the Ford Ranger Raptor, one of the most expensive utes in Australia – excluding Ram and Chevrolet’s full-size pick-ups.
LDV’s electric ute also lacks advanced safety aids found in Australia’s best-selling utes – such as autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert – which are standard on most of its rivals.
The post BYD electric ute spied in China, plans for Australian launch appeared first on Drive.