BYD’s Baby Shark Is China’s Answer To America’s Maverick

China’s largest carmaker isn’t done expanding its portfolio just yet. BYD is fine-tuning a new compact pickup truck designed to sit below its larger Shark 6 model, targeting drivers after practicality with a lighter footprint.

While the vehicle hasn’t been officially named, we’ll just call it the ‘Baby Shark’ for now, recently surfaced patent filings from the EU Intellectual Property Office shed light on what to expect.

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It’s a unibody, car-based utility vehicle clearly positioned in the same lifestyle category as Ford’s Maverick, though destined for different markets, since there’s zero chance of it ever reaching the US.

Performance won’t be an afterthought either. BYD is pairing the friendly footprint with a plug-in hybrid setup that promises quick acceleration and enough electric range to soothe most commuting anxiety. Curious where this little truck might fit in? Let’s take a closer look at what’s coming down the line.

Curves over Brawn

Gentle on the eye would be the best way to describe BYD’s new small pickup truck; it eschews traditional truck-like styling you’d see from GM and Ford, and goes for a far softer aesthetic in the same vein as Hyundai’s Santa Cruz. 

Those with a sharp eye will recognize many of the lines and curves closely resemble BYD’s Seal U/Sealion 6 crossover, meaning this is more of an in-house conversion than an all-new, ground-up exercise. 

The front wears a bold trapezoidal grille with a winged upper section similar to that of the Atto3. Crisp fenders and scalloped doors add depth to the side profile, while the rear bed area melds seamlessly with the cabin (this is a unibody, not body-on-frame after all). 

Outdoor-oriented elements are here too, including black cladding, a roof rack, and a rear sports bar. The tailgate and LED light signature crib a few cues from the larger Shark 6, giving it a touch of familial presence.

A Crossover Cabin, Just Taller

Exact specs haven’t been detailed, but the interior will likely share much with the Sealion 6. That means BYD isn’t chasing the rough-and-tumble pickup look, as this one aims more upscale.

Unlike offerings from Detroit and Seoul, the BYD will be a premium affair, dominated by a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen and softly padded touchpoints, including faux leather dash and door cards. 

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Other highlights will include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display (HUD), panoramic sunroof, wireless CarPlay, Android Auto and phone charging. A flat floor and ample space will benefit rear seat occupants, while the load-box will offer unique tie-down solutions and a V2L (vehicle-to-load) plug point.

Under The Skin

BYD patent images

The all-wheel-drive small pickup will use BYD’s DM-I (Dual Mode Intelligence) architecture, which uses an advanced plug-in hybrid system. Specifically, it’s expected to combine a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with dual electric motors, one at each axle, for all-wheel drive.

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Total system output lands at 319 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, placing it well above average for the segment. Drawing from the Sealion 6 as a benchmark, it will likely carry an 18.3kWh BYD Blade battery, offering an estimated electric-only range of 50 miles before the gas engine kicks in.

With both systems working together, total range should reach close to 621 miles.

Rivals and Reveal

Segment-wise, BYD’s small truck is comparable to Maverick and Santa Cruz. However, as the Chinese automaker is off-limits for US consumption, more likely rivals include the Ram Rampage, Geely Radar/Riddara RD6, and Deepal E07.

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A full reveal is expected soon, with production slated to begin in early 2026. Right-hand-drive versions are expected to follow not long after, indicating BYD is eyeing broader markets beyond China.

Would you like to see more unibody trucks like this hit the streets? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

A prototype of the ‘baby’ Shark testing in China (Weibo)