BYD is going up to the market, announcing that it will launch a new premium brand in the first quarter of 2023.
The new brand will be called Yangwangtranslated as “lookup”.
In a statement reported by ReutersYangwang vehicles will cost between 800,000 and 1.5 million yuan (AU$171,850 to AU$322,219) – making them the most expensive vehicle ever produced by BYD – and the brand’s first model will be the terrain vehicles.
As BYD has discontinued production of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, Yangwang will offer electric vehicles – although it offers a choice of hybrid or battery vehicles or just the latter. unclear.
Spy photos released by Chinese media show the first Yangwang as a bluff, upright SUV. Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz G-Class or Tank GWM 300. Like those models, the spare tire is located on the tailgate.
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BYD Han -
BYD Tang
Unlike those models – or indeed any BYD car – there seems to be a dual cowl-style dashboard, particularly with a vertically oriented touchscreen that expands and appears to be curved.
Chinese store Yiche reports that the Yangwang SUV will offer all-wheel drive, with an electric motor driving each wheel.
The report also mentions tank turning functionality, as on the Rivian R1T and R1S, as well as a patent BYD has filed for a “floating” mode that could help it wade through water at greater depths.
The price of the Yangwang models will put them above BYD’s current flagship products, the Han sedan and the Tang crossover.
BYD is hitting record sales, with sales tripling in the first 10 months of this year to 1.4 million copies. That is despite it stop producing combustion cars in March 2022 in favor of the exclusive PHEV and EV line.
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Tank GWM 300 -
Jetour T-1
It won’t be the first Chinese automaker to create a more premium, SUV-focused brand.
Great Wall Motor has two: the Wey for (most) crossovers and the Tank for the sturdier top-frame SUVs. The following models are expected to debut here next year, albeit with the GWM Tank badge.
Chery has a Jetour brand and is also getting ready the new, blocky off-road called the T-1 with distinctive Defender-esque styling.
It will launch in 2023 and will offer petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains. This will be the first in the Jetour brand’s T-Series range.
