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2026 Promises Revolution In The Pickup Market: Caoa, BYD And Volkswagen Prepare National Launches To Compete With Leaders Like Fiat Strada And Toyota Hilux
Two new pickups promise to shake up the Brazilian automotive market starting in 2026. On one side, Caoa plans to manufacture a medium pickup to face established models like Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet S10.
On the other side, Chinese BYD wants to launch a compact pickup to compete with the Fiat Strada, currently the sales leader in Brazil since 2021. The information was disclosed by journalist Jorge Moraes from UOL Carros, after the conclusion of the Shanghai Auto Show in China.
The confirmation of the new medium pickup came from Carlos Alberto de Oliveira Andrade Filho, president of Grupo Caoa. The announcement of the compact one was made by Alexandre Baldy, senior vice president of BYD in Brazil. Both executives gave interviews to the journalist during the international event.
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Rare pickup truck in Brazil is startling due to its size and price: Ford F-350 Platinum imported from the USA features a V8 Power Stroke, 24-inch tires, luxury seats, and the power to carry 3 tons in the bed or tow 18 tons as if it were a toy.
At the Chery booth, Caoa’s partner, the Himla was revealed, a medium pickup that will be made in Brazil. Production is expected to take place at the Anápolis (GO) plant, where the Tiggo 5, 7, and 8 SUVs are already manufactured under the Caoa Chery brand.
The new model will be offered in versions with a diesel engine and also with plug-in hybrid propulsion, according to Moraes.
The model displayed at the fair featured a double cabin and capacity for up to five passengers. The alloy wheels were 19 inches (approx. 48 cm), and the mixed-use tires indicate a focus on off-road performance.
4×4 traction is also expected. The load capacity should reach one ton. However, the vehicle has not yet been launched in China, so production in Brazil is only expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
In the meantime, BYD aims to shake up the compact pickup segment. The new model will be manufactured in the city of Camaçari (BA) and will have versions with a single cab and a double cab.
The forecast is also for 2026. The Chinese brand wants to directly compete with the Fiat Strada, which has led the registration ranking for three years.
Additionally, Alexandre Baldy revealed that the company is considering launching a third model. The new pickup would fit between the compact and the medium Shark, targeting the same audience as models like Fiat Toro and Ford Maverick. According to the executive, this niche is expected to grow in the Brazilian market.
The activity from automakers doesn’t stop there. Volkswagen is also working on the development of a new pickup, temporarily named Tarok. The debut is scheduled for the same year: 2026. The investment in the plant in São José dos Pinhais (PR) will be R$ 3 billion.
Initially, the Tarok will be equipped with a 1.4 turbo flex engine producing 150 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Later, a hybrid version is expected, which will combine an electric motor with the new 1.5 EVO2.
The arrival of these new options promises to intensify the competition in the pickup sector. Traditional models, like Strada, Toro, and Hilux, will face direct competitors from brands investing in national production and new technologies. Market expectations are high.
The year 2026 will be pivotal for the sector, with several new launches occurring in the country simultaneously.
With information from Tribuna de Minas.
Strada ainda é um palio. Lançado quando vovó era VIRGEM.