THE BYD Shark – China’s latest contender in the electric pickup segment and which is described as “a beast with brains” – is Nick Lue’s electric vehicle (EV) pick for 2025.
According to the popular automotive enthusiast and ambassador for the recent Jamaica Auto Show, held at the National Arena and National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, “That [the Build Your Dreams Shark] seems like it is going to be a good seller, because of the fact that it’s electric and it’s a hybrid with a 1500 engine”.
“It will give an ease of comfort for some people who do not want a full electric [truck], so it will be a mix of electric and engine, which I think is where the world is going. I think the world is going to be centred around hybrid versus full EVs,” added Lue.
With dual electric motors pushing out a combined 430 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time that rivals some sports cars, the Shark blends rugged utility with cutting-edge innovation.
Add to that its off-road capabilities, luxurious cabin, and impressive range, and customers are promised a vehicle that is said to be redefining what it means to be a pickup.
Lue believes that BYD Shark, which was recently launched by the ATL Automotive Group under its BYD Jamaica brand and is the brand’s first-ever Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) pickup, will be the next major hit for the market.
During an interview at the launch of Jamaica Auto Show on April 29, the Jamaican entrepreneur, who has made a name for himself in the automotive review industry, said when the BYD Shark electric truck rolled onto the scene, it did not take long for him to take notice.
“For the local market right now, I’ve seen a lot more EVs being here on the market, so that in itself [means] there must be a demand for them. There’s a place for EVs in the market. They’re becoming more popular. People are getting more educated about them, and, definitely, they’re going to be a major player in the automotive industry for the near future,” he said.
“I would definitely drive an EV. You know some people don’t like them, but me as a car man, mi like dem. Mi like di feeling of dem, di response of dem. I like the fact that they’re quiet most of the time, and they don’t take much maintenance,” Lue added.
Meanwhile, persons now have the chance to benefit from a new promotion from the Jamaica Public Service, which is giving customers who purchase EVs from BYD, ATL Automotive, Flash Motors and Stewart’s Automotive, a 50 per cent discount on their electric bills for the next six months and following the delivery of their vehicles.
