The Great Ute Shake-Up: How the BYD Shark 6 Dethroned the HiLux in Australia

As featured on Carsales.com.au

For years, the Toyota HiLux has been the vehicle most Australians picture when they think of a ute. That's no longer the case.

Our own research into Google search data shows the BYD Shark 6 has overtaken the HiLux as Australia's most searched ute, and it isn't a close result.

We pulled search volumes from Google Keyword Planner across Australia between June 2025 and May 2026, covering 29 ute models sold locally. Each keyword was matched to a single model and the volumes added together, giving us a clear picture of which utes Australians are actually researching. Growth was worked out by comparing the average monthly searches in the first three months of that period against the last three. These figures reflect search interest rather than confirmed sales, but they tell us a lot about where buyer attention is heading.

Australia's most searched utes

The BYD Shark 6 recorded 1,785,680 searches over the past 12 months, pushing the HiLux into second place. Here's how the top five compare:

Source: OCAM 4x4 Accessories study of Google Searches in Australia

It's a genuine shift. The Shark 6 was also the only ute in the top five still growing in search traffic, up 8 per cent, while the HiLux fell 8 per cent, the Ranger dropped 5 per cent, and the BT-50 slid 16 per cent. The Kia Tasman, despite a hyped launch, fell a striking 70 per cent.

No surprise to us

"We're seeing a noticeable increase in enquiries and purchases from owners of Chinese utes, particularly the BYD Shark and GWM Cannon," says Peter Gorgievski, director of OCAM 4x4 Accessories.

"That trend has accelerated significantly over the past 12 months as more of these vehicles hit Australian roads."

A fuel crisis changed everything

Monthly data shows the Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid, rocketed in popularity during the global fuel crisis in early 2026. The HiLux had actually been gaining ground over summer, before the fuel crisis sent Shark 6 searches soaring past everyone else.

In March alone, the Shark 6 was searched for 210,840 times in Australia, more than double the Ranger's 88,850 searches that same month.

The next wave of Chinese utes

The Shark 6 isn't the only Chinese ute turning heads. Several other models have shown sharp spikes in search interest recently, largely thanks to upcoming Australian launches, including new models from GAC, Jetour and Foton.

Chinese utes ranked by % change from Jun–Aug 2025 vs. Mar–May 2026. Source: OCAM 4x4 Accessories study of Google Searches in Australia

What's behind the Chinese ute boom?

According to Peter, value is the single biggest reason the Shark 6 has found such success here.

"Buyers feel they're getting a lot of vehicle for their money: features they want, modern technology and long warranty coverage," he says. "For many, the price difference compared to some of the more established brands is significant enough to make them take a serious look."

He's also noticed that customers are often pleasantly surprised by the comfort, performance and overall quality of the newer Chinese brands. And as more people see friends, family or workmates driving them, confidence keeps building.

"From what we're seeing, the conversation is shifting away from where a vehicle is built and towards whether it delivers the capability, value and reliability Australian owners expect," Peter says. "We see Chinese brands becoming a permanent part of the Australian ute landscape, and we're planning our product roadmap accordingly."

The ute accessories problem

Like any 4WD owner, today's Chinese ute buyers are just as keen to accessorise their vehicles with bull bars, roof racks, canopies, side steps, floor mats, tonneau roller covers and suspension upgrades as traditional Ranger, HiLux or D-MAX owners.

One thing we flag for owners of newer models is that the aftermarket is still catching up.

"For newer Chinese models, the aftermarket is still maturing," Peter says. "Some accessories may not be available immediately after launch, or buyers may need to wait for products that have been properly engineered and tested rather than opting for a universal solution that compromises fit or performance."

His main advice for buyers is to check parts and service coverage before committing, particularly if you're outside a capital city.

"Brands like GWM and BYD have expanded rapidly in Australia, but it's worth confirming dealer coverage, service availability and parts support in your local area, particularly if you live or travel regionally," Peter says.

Closing the gap on the competition

Despite some scepticism about the reliability of Chinese utes, most of the enquiries we get in-store are about enhancing capability, not fixing faults.

"The focus is very much on accessories rather than repairs, and demand has been strong across all the major product categories," Peter says.

He does warn against assuming 'universal' accessories will fit every ute.

"Roof racks are a common example," he notes. "Even vehicles that look comparable can have completely different mounting points, body dimensions and safety systems, so fitment should never be assumed."

It's a similar story for smaller additions. A bonnet protector guards against stone chips, weathershields let you crack a window without the weather getting in, and if you're towing, it's worth checking whether towing mirrors are available for your model.

Even so, he believes the gap between the newer Chinese manufacturers and the established brands has narrowed considerably in just a few years.

"It's driving innovation across the industry and giving consumers more choice than ever before," he says. "Regardless of the badge on the grille, that's good for the market and good for customers."

Get your ute set up properly

Whichever ute you're driving, whether it's a HiLux that's been in the family for years or a brand new Shark 6, the right accessories make all the difference to how it performs off-road. At OCAM 4x4 Accessories, we design and stock vehicle-specific bull bars, roof racks, canopies, side steps, floor mats, tonneau covers and suspension upgrades, properly engineered and tested for your exact model rather than a generic fit, so your hard-earned goes further, whichever ute you're driving.

Browse our range for your ute today and let's get you set up for whatever adventure comes next.