One of BYD’s top executives for Australia and New Zealand has thrown cold water on reports that the Shark 6 dual-cab ute will be joined by a smaller model in the shape of the recently revealed Mako model – but there’s still good news for Aussies who are keen to see the brand’s tradie-focused range expand down under. 

Last month WhichCar by Wheels brought you news that the Mako (pictured bottom) had broken cover in Brazil, complete with a hybrid powertrain just like the Shark 6 (pictured below). However, it shares its underpinnings with the Sealion 6 and is intended to compete with downsized SUV-based utes from VW, Ram and Fiat.

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When we contacted BYD, a spokesperson wasn’t able to confirm plans to bring the Mako down under, telling us: “The Shark 6 is well accepted in this market and the line-up is pretty strong right now following the recent introduction of the Shark 6 Dynamic Cab Chassis and 2.0-litre Performance pickup. We’re pretty happy with that for now. We are always looking at what might be available, then assess whether it may fill a gap in our lineup and if there would be sufficient customer demand to make a business case work.”

However, Warren Wilmot, the brand’s general manager for Australia and New Zealand, has now shot down the Mako idea in no uncertain terms. “We declined this. Instead, Australia and NZ are working on a more suitable workhorse ute for our market,” Wilmot told Auto Trader NZ.  

Wilmot didn’t go into any further detail about the upcoming ute, so it’s hard to draw a conclusion about whether it would be smaller than the Shark 6. Overseas media had previously reported that the Mako is one of five planned ute models for BYD’s global line-up, boosting hopes of an as-yet-unseen alternative for the Aussie market.

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The Mako will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and single electric motor feeding a hybrid transmission. It’s front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel drive version is planned. Combined output is 166kW and battery capacity is 12.9kWh.

The interior seems to borrow heavily from the Sealion 6 in terms of its layout, but the ute gets a larger 15.6-inch infotainment display. It runs Macpherson suspension with front struts and a multi-link rear that uses coil springs, and the tune has been adjusted for carrying loads and towing.