BYD’s plug-in hybrid ute has been selected for use by a division of the Mexican police.
Police in Mexico appear to have embraced the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 ute with open arms.
An image posted on social media (above) shows five Shark 6 dual-cab utes, finished in the Policia Municipal livery that denotes local area policing tasked with minor civil issues, traffic management, crime prevention, and first-response duties.
Modifications to the vehicles appear to be minimal, suggesting general duties use, with the only obvious exterior changes a roof-mounted light bar, and the removal of the rear sports bar usually fitted to Mexican-spec vehicles.
Another image posted online (below) indicates the Shark 6 has also been enlisted by special forces – or what appears to be an anti-corruption squad – elsewhere in the region.
It is unclear if the BYD vehicles have been provided under a loan agreement or if the fleet follows the typical government-funded model of Mexico’s regular police fleet.
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If the BYD Shark 6 has in fact joined the police fleet, it would enter duty alongside vehicles such as the Dodge Charger, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500.
The Mexican Shark is not the first instance of BYD vehicles being used for law enforcement, with vehicles like the BYD D1 electric people mover, Dolphin small car and Atto 3 medium SUV in use with police forces in locations such as Brazil, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Hungary.
Australia’s police fleets regularly consist of dual-cab utes, with remote and rural areas using Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota HiLux utes.
The Ford Ranger extra-cab has also become the leading choice for divisional van work with police fleets, featuring a custom-built pod at the rear to transport detainees.
Although BYD has not yet picked up an Australian police contract in Australia, MG became the first Chinese brand to provide vehicles to Australian law enforcement in 2023 with a fleet of 45 MG HS plug-in hybrid SUVs for use by Police Liaison Officers.
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