2025 BYD Shark PHEV ute revealed without camouflage in new spy photos

April 18: BYD Shark spied in Mexico

We've got a name, and a Mexican YouTuber's got the photos.

Following the release last week of official 'spy photos' that seem confused by the idea of camouflage, BYD's upcoming ute has now been spied without disguise on the streets of Mexico.

Of course, there's little to be surprised by with these photos posted to Instagram by AutoDinamicoMX [↗], thanks to earlier design patent images and our own speculative (but accurate) renderings based on that patent.

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Spy photos of the BYD Shark ute by AutoDinamicoMX on Instagram

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Spy photos of the BYD Shark ute by AutoDinamicoMX on Instagram

Importantly, we now also know what the Chinese carmaker's ute is likely to be called, thanks to a recent local trademark filing: Shark.

BYD has also registered the trademarks King and King L in Australia, but that's already known to be the name of an upcoming plug-in hybrid sedan. [↗]

What do you think of the Shark's styling, and its looks? Tell us in the comments below!

April 5: BYD Ute teased in flashy camouflage

We've seen revealing patent images and a prototype testing in Australia, but now the BYD Ute is a little more official, thanks to a set of teaser photos released today.

The new shots show the anticipated plug-in hybrid ute in a bold blue and fluro orange wrap, its high-vis quality ensuring nobody will miss it.

As our earlier coverage below describes, BYD's ute is expected to reach Australia later this year as a rival to the incoming Ford Ranger PHEV and the wider 'midsize' ute market.

Click the photo below for more images from this latest release, and continue reading for more details.

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January: BYD ute spied in Australia

The 2025 BYD plug-in hybrid ute has been snapped testing on an Australian freeway ahead of its local launch in 2024.

Pictures posted to social media show a left-hand-drive prototype of the as-yet-unnamed Chinese dual-cab petrol-electric ute wrapped in camouflage ahead of its global reveal in the coming months.

It follows patent images of the BYD Ute revealed in October, confirming it’ll follow a similar design to other mid-size dual-cab utes such as the GWM Ute and Ford Ranger.

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BYD Australia previously confirmed it will subject the ute to a local development program before it hits showrooms.

Luke Todd, the CEO of BYD distributor EVDirect, said “extremely detailed” feedback from Australia was handed to BYD engineers developing the vehicle in China.

“We’re talking an immense amount of data sharing of what consumers want for Australia and a lot of those inputs are being implemented into the ute… It is very much a co-designed vehicle for the Australian market,” said Todd.

RELATED: All the new BYD models to watch for

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Todd confirmed the brand “will sell and deliver BYD Ute next year,” with a local launch planned for the second half of the year.

“The vehicle is going to be… so well suited for the Australian market, and that’s why we’re making the claim that it will be the best in class when it comes out,” said Todd.

Unlike BYD’s current all-electric vehicles – the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal – the Ute will feature a dual-motor ‘DM-i’ hybrid arrangement with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine at launch.

While current plug-in hybrid vehicles such as the new Ford Ranger PHEV add electric components to an existing ICE-based platform, the BYD Ute has been designed as a “ground-up EV” with internal combustion added later.

“At the moment, plug-in or traditional hybrid is a petrol vehicle that's had a battery introduced. This is the complete reverse around, so much so that we’re actually working with government authorities to get our own category because this is technology that nobody’s ever seen. It's an ultra-low electric vehicle with the best of both worlds… there’s no range anxiety,” said Todd.

BYD is said to be targeting a 1000-kilometre-plus driving range for the petrol-electric Ute.

An all-electric version of the BYD Ute will follow around 12 to 24 months later in 2025 or 2026.

“We want vehicles that Australians can actually afford. We don’t ever want to be pushing $100,000. The reality is a full EV ute at the moment would be over $100,000 just for the battery size, to power, to get enough range,” added Todd.