Hu Xiaoqing: BYD Yangwang's $300,000 Sedan Launches in UAE Before China

BYD is positioning its most expensive electric sedan to compete directly with European luxury brands by launching it in the United Arab Emirates before it appears in China. Hu Xiaoqing, general manager of the Yangwang sub-brand, confirmed the strategy this week. The company has not announced a specific date for the public reveal, though the vehicle is expected to appear this month.

The sedan measures approximately 5,500 millimeters, or 216 inches, in length. Its dimensions and styling mirror the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. This placement marks a distinct shift for BYD, a manufacturer historically associated with the Seagull, a compact hatchback that retails for under $10,000 in China. The new model targets buyers who purchase Bentley and Maybach vehicles.

Zheng Yu, executive general manager of Yangwang, stated the car will feature disruptive technology without providing technical details. Visual evidence suggests the vehicle supports megawatt flash charging, as it was photographed at a BYD Flash Charging station. The design includes rear-hinged coach doors, a configuration new to the brand. Reports indicate the sedan will be the first BYD model to utilize solid-state batteries. Stella Li, executive vice president, previously told Carwow.es that BYD’s first solid-state battery vehicle would debut in 2027.

Rumors place the starting price in the 2 million yuan range, equivalent to roughly $300,000. This price point positions the sedan well above the current Yangwang lineup. The brand’s existing U7 electric sedan starts at 658,000 yuan, or $98,000. The U8 and U8L plug-in hybrid SUVs and the U9 electric super-coupe occupy the mid-range. The U8L is currently the brand’s highest-priced mass-produced vehicle, starting at 1.45 million yuan, or $217,000.

Yangwang sits at the top of BYD’s corporate hierarchy alongside Denza and FangChengBao. The sub-brand serves as a testing ground for advanced engineering. Previous Yangwang models incorporated the quad-motor e4 platform, which generates 1,300 horsepower, and the DiSus-X intelligent body control system. That system allows vehicles to jump and drive on three wheels. The new sedan extends this technological foundation to a larger, more static body style.

BYD has expanded its product range in recent years to include entry-level electric vehicles, pickup trucks, and three-row flagship SUVs. The introduction of a $300,000 sedan signals an attempt to capture the high-end global market. The UAE launch strategy places the vehicle in a region with high demand for ultra-luxury automobiles before it enters the saturated domestic market in China.