BYD unveils luxury brand to take on global rivals

BYD, the largest NEV maker in China, unveiled two models from its luxury brand Yangwang as part of its campaign to explore the high-end car segment.

Chairman Wang Chuanfu said the new brand "will reshape the contours of the global luxury car market" thanks to new in-house technology developed over the past two decades.

The electric Yangwang U8 off-roader may rival the Mercedes G-class and the Land Rover Defender. The all-terrain full-size model features an 800 volt vehicle architecture with four electric motors.

It has a combined output of over 1,000 horsepower with a rotation speed of 20,500 revolutions per minute.

Built based on BYD's Yisifang architecture, in which four wheels are independently driven, the vehicle can control its movement through real-time wheel torque regulation, ensuring a smooth stop in the event of a tire blowout.

The architecture, coupled with the carmaker's waterproof sealing technology, allows the U8 to go through water.

The U9 sports car, which is positioned to take on models from marques including Lamborghini, can go from zero to 100 km per hour in just two seconds. It is built on the Yisifang architecture as well.

BYD did not reveal their exact prices but said both are both priced at more than 1 million yuan ($145,500).

The Warren Buffett-backed carmaker, which stopped production and sales of internal combustion engines, is already the king of the volume NEV segment, with 1.86 million sold in 2022.