BYD Mako revealed as PHEV ute to sit below Shark

BYD has revealed a new plug-in hybrid ute in Brazil, with the Mako adding another pickup to the Chinese brand’s growing global range.

Patents published in 2025 had already hinted at the arrival of a smaller ute from BYD, with images showing a design that has now been revealed as the Mako. The Mako shares its platform with the Sealion SUV, rather than the body-on-frame architecture used by the Shark. That makes it a very different type of ute to its larger sibling, with its SUV-based underpinnings giving it a more car-like foundation.

Power comes from a plug-in hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric drive. BYD has confirmed the Mako for the Brazilian market, where it will also be produced locally at the company’s Camaçari facility. The new ute has been developed for Brazil’s pickup market, where smaller models such as the Fiat Toro are well established. It gives BYD another option alongside the Shark, which is already sold in Australia and other markets.

The two models take quite different approaches. The Shark uses a body-on-frame chassis designed around the requirements of a conventional pickup, while the Mako uses the same basic platform as a passenger SUV.

Will the BYD Mako come to Australia?

There is no confirmed Australian launch for the Mako at this stage. BYD Australia has not announced the ute for our market, with the Shark remaining its only local pickup. BYD Australia

BYD has confirmed that a new model specifically intended for Australian customers will be revealed later in 2026, although the company has not identified that vehicle. There is no confirmation that the Mako is that model.

Will it be off-road-ready?

That’s still unknown. BYD has not announced Australian specifications for the Mako, including ground clearance, approach and departure angles, towing capacity or any dedicated off-road equipment.

Its SUV-based platform also means it isn’t a direct mechanical equivalent to the body-on-frame 4WD utes that dominate Australia’s market. That doesn’t automatically rule out useful off-road ability, but there isn’t enough confirmed information yet to assess how the Mako would perform on Australian tracks.

For now, the Mako is confirmed as a plug-in hybrid pickup for Brazil, with any Australian launch and local off-road specification still to be confirmed.