BYD Shark PHEV pickup truck to launch soon

BYD recently announced that its first pickup truck will be called the Shark, making it the automaker’s latest model to be named after marine animals after the Dolphin, Seal, and Sea Lion.

Set to make its debut at the Beijing Motor Show, the Shark will reportedly feature BYD’s latest plug-in hybrid powertrain known as DMO (Dual-Mode Off-Road).

Details regarding the powertrain are scarce but according to reports, it may feature a combination of a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and two electric motors just like the Fang Cheng Bao 5.

In the Fang Cheng Bao 5, the ICE-eletric motor combo generates a total system output of 680 PS and 760 Nm. The off-road SUV is also said to offer an electric range of up to 125 km or up to 1,200 km in hybrid mode.

Apart from the PHEV version, there is a possibility that the Shark will also be offered in a full electric version somewhere in the future.

As far as design is concerned, recent leaked photos of the Shark show that the pickup truck has a front fascia resembling that of the Ford Ranger.

The cabin looks a tad watered down compared to other BYDs, featuring a digital instrument panel, central display, flat-bottom steering wheel, and a row of switches arranged adjacent to the gear lever on the center console.

Will the Shark swim its way to the Malaysian market? There is no official announcement yet, but BYD has previously stated that it plans to sell the pickup truck globally.

BYD officiates new 3S centre in Melaka

BYD, a rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced the official opening of its new 3S center in Melaka.

Located in the heart of the historical city, the 3S center is managed by BYD Sing Kwung Motors, providing sales and after-sales services to BYD customers in the area.

“We are excited to inaugurate our newest 3S center in Melaka, showcasing our dedication to serving customers in Malaysia,” said Mr. Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

“The newly opened 3S center will offer a range of services, including sales consultations, test drives, and after-sales services,” mentioned Mr. Ng Sin Yean, Managing Director of BYD Sing Kwung Motors.

“Customers can explore BYD’s latest electric vehicle models known for their technological sophistication, performance excellence, and eco-friendly features,” he added.

With the opening of this new 3S center, BYD underscores its commitment to sustainable transportation and innovation in Melaka.

BYD aims to establish 30 retail outlets across the country by the end of 2024.

BYD Seal received over 1,300 bookings in 4 days

SIME Darby Motors (SDM) recently announced that it has received over 1,300 bookings for the BYD Seal within four days after its launch.

Due to the overwhelming demand for the electric sedan, SDM has extended its early booking campaign until 3 March 2024.

Through this campaign, customers who place a booking for the Seal through the official website or at BYD showrooms nationwide before the 3rd of March will receive a complimentary home charger and RM800 worth of Gentari/ChargEV charging credit.

Seal is offered in two variants, namely Premium and Performance, with prices starting at RM179,800 and RM199,800 respectively.

The Premium variant comes with a single electric motor on the rear axle producing 313 PS and 360 Nm, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

Meanwhile, the Performance variant features a dual-motor configuration generating a total power of 530 PS and 670 Nm. With all-wheel drive (AWD), it only takes 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h.

Both variants use the same 82.56 kWh LFP Blade battery but the Premium gets a driving range of 650 km while the more powerful Performance has 580 km of range. Both figures are based on the NEDC cycle.

BYD sold over 3 million NEV cars in 2023, beats Tesla in EV sales for Q4

WHILE Tesla maintains its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in 2023, its competitor, BYD, has set a new record as the leading new energy vehicle producer globally.

Throughout 2023, BYD successfully distributed approximately 3,024,417 new energy vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

This achievement has placed BYD among the top 10 largest vehicle manufacturers in the world. Out of this total, 1.57 million units comprised electric vehicles (for comparison, Tesla sold 1.8 million units), while another 1.4 million consisted of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).

In recent years, BYD has consistently narrowed the gap left by Tesla. In 2022, BYD’s sales figures were nearly 400,000 units lower than Tesla’s, but the difference was reduced by almost half in 2023.

Furthermore, in the fourth quarter of 2023, BYD successfully surpassed Tesla in EV sales, indicating a significant challenge ahead for the American EV manufacturer to maintain its leadership position in the coming year.

BYD Atto 3 Anniversary Limited Edition – 500 units only, RM173,800

A year ago, BYD marked its entry into the Malaysian electric vehicle market with the launch of the BYD Atto 3.

In commemoration of this anniversary, Sime Darby Motors recently launched the Atto 3 Anniversary Limited Edition, which sets itself apart from the standard version with a blacked-out bodykit.

The latest offering is based on the Extended Range variant and is limited to only 500 units. Customers can choose from a selection of two exterior colours, namely Boulder Grey and Ski White.

Regardless of the chosen colour, the Atto 3 Anniversary Limited Edition is fitted a front bumper lip, front spoiler, front bumper panels, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser.

Additionally, the window frame, side mirror housings, and C-pillar panels are painted black to give the EV a more aggressive look.

There are no powertrain upgrades, meaning like the variant it is based on, the limited edition Atto 3 features an electric motor on the front axle generating 204 PS and 310 Nm. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.

This variant is equipped with a 60.48 kWh battery that offers a driving range of up to 480 km on a full charge. Charging from 0-80% takes approximately 45 minutes with a fast DC 80 kW charger.

The selling price of the Atto 3 Anniversary Limited Edition starts at RM173,800, making it RM6,000 dearer than the standard Atto 3 Extended Range.