BYD's Response to M6 PHEV Speculation

JAKARTA — A vehicle suspected to be the BYD M6 PHEV was recently spotted undergoing road tests in Indonesia whilst covered in camouflage.

Judging from images circulating on social media, the design appears similar to the M6 model, though it features a different grille design at the front.

The appearance of the vehicle immediately sparked speculation that BYD is preparing a new variant of its electric MPV for the Indonesian market.

Responding to this, BYD Indonesia President Director Eagle Zhao has not yet provided detailed confirmation regarding the model in question.

“The M6 is currently an EV. We don’t have much information to comment on. However, we have one commitment — as soon as we have an important message, we will inform you,” Zhao stated when met in Central Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Although there has been no official statement, the presence of the camouflaged vehicle has fuelled speculation that BYD is testing plug-in hybrid technology for the M6 model in Indonesia.

Globally, BYD possesses DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) technology, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor. This system allows the vehicle to operate using electric power whilst maintaining a petrol engine as a supplementary power source and battery charger.

Should the vehicle being tested indeed be the M6 PHEV, the model could potentially offer an alternative for consumers seeking the efficiency of electric vehicles whilst still requiring the flexibility of a petrol engine for long-distance travel.

For now, the public must await an official announcement from the Chinese manufacturer regarding the model being tested on Jakarta’s roads.