GWM Cannon PHEV uncovered as BYD Shark 6 rival, Australian launch under consideration

The GWM Cannon PHEV (plug-in hybrid) has been revealed in Chinese government filings, showing a revised look and a new powertrain that could see GWM become the first brand in Australia to offer two plug-in hybrid utes locally.

As reported by Car News China, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filings show the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6 rival will adopt the simpler front-end styling of the updated diesel model unveiled in China in November last year.

It would be the second PHEV in GWM’s ute lineup if it were to make it to local showrooms, sitting below the current Cannon Alpha PHEV, which starts from $57,490 drive-away (and is currently being offered from $51,490 drive-away).

A spokesperson for GWM Australia told CarExpert the Cannon PHEV isn’t confirmed for Australia but is “under consideration for Australia”.

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If sold here, it would be priced above the current diesel 4×4 offerings, which range from $40,490 to $51,990 drive-away.

The Ford Ranger PHEV, introduced last year, is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Shark 6 PHEV is priced from $57,900 before on-road costs.

The filings show the Cannon PHEV will use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine, four-wheel drive and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery of as-yet undisclosed capacity.

Combined power is listed at 180kW – less than the Ford Ranger PHEV’s 207kW/697Nm outputs – with torque and further specifications yet to be revealed for the Cannon PHEV, known as the ‘Poer’ in China.

For comparison, the Cannon Alpha PHEV currently offered in Australia uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine and a 37.1kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, delivering a combined 300kW/750Nm.

The Cannon Alpha PHEV’s powertrain also sees its full-size spare wheel relocated to the rear tray, while diesel models retain an under-tub spare to maximise load area space.

Images of the new Cannon PHEV appear to show a full-size spare mounted underneath the vehicle, potentially addressing the compromise seen in the larger Cannon Alpha.

The exterior revisions include a cleaner-looking front-end treatment, while the model appears to sit on the same chassis with key dimensions otherwise unchanged.

When revealing its 2026 lineup late last year, GWM also showed a new heavy-duty ‘Off-road’ package to serve as an alternative to the Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan Navara Warrior and upcoming Toyota HiLux GR Sport. This is also under consideration for Australian showrooms.

MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon showroom