BYD Plans to Launch First Electrified Pickup Truck This Year

(Bloomberg) — Chinese electric vehicle juggernaut BYD Co. plans to launch its first electrified pickup truck for the global market later this year, throwing down the gauntlet to Toyota Motor Corp.’s popular HiLux, Ford Motor Co.’s Ranger and Isuzu Motors Ltd.’s D-Max.

Photos released by BYD show a boxy dual-cab truck daubed in orange and blue camouflage paint being road tested in an unspecified location. While the company didn’t release any details on the powertrain, performance specifications or pricing, it said the mid- to full-size truck will be its first “new energy” pickup.