Automaker around the world are desperate to get their hands on the BYD Shark. For one thing, it’s from BYD, which is the fastest growing automaker in the world. For another, it’s one of the first PHEV pickups to hit the market. Terry Woychowski, President of Automotive at Caresoft gave us the chance to see what it’s all about and to take it for a drive.
It’s always good to visit CareSoft, and hear Terry Woychowski. The Shark seems like a decent first effort. The first thing thing that bothers me are the “broken spokes” at the bottom of the steering wheel – I could see people getting their fingers caught in those gaps. Also, the Mode and Cruise Control buttons are on the opposite sides of where I’d expect to see them. Usually the Mode is on the left, and the Cruise Control on the right, like in a Hyundai/Kia vehicle.
Also, the backseat fold design needs to be completely rethought. I would expect to see a bolted down hard plastic floor under the cushion, not the carpet flaps with “vents” and Velcro. I can see very expensive electronics getting wet, and possibly damaged.
The rear suspension design is very interesting. Using both an A-arm (almost a semi-trailing arm like an older E30 BMW 3-Series) and also a lateral arm with the coil spring pocket is very unusual.
The truck is a PHEV – it has an IC engine up front, and an electric motor in the rear. Does it not have a motor/generator up front, that can also drive the front wheels, like a Prius? Can it run in 4WD, using the IC engine and the rear electric motors, or using the front and rear electric motors?
I’d also like to know some more details about CareSoft – do they buy the vehicles, at the direction of the OEMs, or do the OEMs buy them and deliver them? In the case of something like the Shark, what kind of paperwork and red tape is involved in bringing in a vehicle that’s not available for sale in the US? Is it just US Customs that’s involved, or is DOT also involved?
Lastly, I saw a BrightDrop van in the shop? Is that also going to be a teardown of that? Other vehicles in the background?
Anyway, thanks for another great CareSoft video. I look forward to seeing how this thing is put together.