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STORY: BYD unveiled a new mid-size, hybrid-electric pickup truck in Mexico on Tuesday.

It was the first time the world's largest EV maker has launched a new product outside its home country.

And it strengthens the Chinese automaker's foothold in the North American market.

The reveal came on the same day U.S. president Joe Biden unveiled announced new tariffs on a variety of Chinese imports, including EVs.

A U.S. trade representative further said the U.S. was weighing tariffs on imports from Mexico.

But BYD Chief of Americas Stella Li didn't think this would have an impact on the carmaker.

“No, we don't have any plan to go to the U.S. so this Shark (truck) is really targeted for like any other place outside the U.S.”

BYD executives said the Shark is only available in Mexico.

It also plans to build a plant in the country.

Li said BYD chose Mexico due to its rapid growth in demand for pickup trucks there.

“Yeah, it doesn't make a difference because when we build a Mexican plant, we only consider the Mexican market and other countries' markets, we have not considered the U.S.”

The plant will have a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year, and Li said it will take up to three years to finish.

BYD's Shark is costlier than most rival products, though.

It has with a starting price of $53,442 for the Shark GL, and $57,588 for the premium model.