BYD has introduced the Shark hybrid pickup truck in Panama, marking its first hybrid model in the Latin American market. This launch comes as the pickup truck segment in Panama has experienced significant growth in recent years, according to Eduardo López de Victoria, general manager of BYD Central America and the Caribbean.
The BYD Shark is designed to meet both business and personal needs, responding to the demand for a new mobility experience. Notably, the Shark was first launched in Mexico on May 14, a strategic move for BYD to debut a new model in an overseas market.
Currently, the Shark is not available in China, likely due to stringent regulations on pickup trucks in urban areas. Built on BYD’s DMO platform—where “O” stands for off-road and “DM” for dual mode—the Shark measures 5,457 mm in length, 1,971 mm in width, and 1,925 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,260 mm.
The pickup is equipped with dual electric motors: the front motor delivers 170 kW and 310 Nm of torque, while the rear motor produces 150 kW and 340 Nm of torque. Together, they generate over 430 horsepower, allowing the Shark to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h. It features a blade battery with a capacity of 29.58 kWh, offering an NEDC battery range of 100 kilometers and a combined NEDC range of 840 kilometers.
At the launch event in Panama, BYD showcased the Shark in an outdoor camping scenario. Additionally, the company presented four battery electric vehicle (BEV) models—Tang, Yuan Plus, Seal, and Dolphin—at an auto show in Panama in October 2023, marking the introduction of its passenger vehicles in the country. BYD has opened two stores in Panama and plans to expand its sales channels to support the local transition to green transportation.
