BYD Yangwang to Unveil $300,000 Electric Sedan in UAE Before China

A new ultra-luxury electric sedan from BYD's Yangwang sub-brand is set to make its global debut in the United Arab Emirates, a decision that bypasses the company's home market in China. Hu Xiaoqing, general manager of Yangwang, confirmed this week that the launch will occur in the UAE, though no specific date has been announced. The vehicle is expected to reveal its official details this month.

The sedan measures approximately 5,500 millimeters, or 216 inches, in length. Its proportions resemble those of the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. BYD has not released a final price, but local reports suggest a starting cost in the 2 million yuan range, which equates to roughly $300,000. This price point positions the car above the brand's current highest-priced model, the extended U8L plug-in hybrid SUV, which starts at 1.45 million yuan, or $217,000.

This entry into the ultra-luxury segment marks a sharp contrast to BYD's historical focus on affordable vehicles. The company sells the Seagull, a small hatchback, for under $10,000 in China. It has since expanded its lineup to include three-row SUVs, pickup trucks, and electric supercars under its Denza, FangChengBao, and Yangwang sub-brands. Yangwang serves as the top tier of this hierarchy, showcasing the newest technologies available in the company's portfolio.

The new sedan will feature rear-hinged coach doors, a first for the brand. It is also reported to be the first BYD model to use solid-state batteries. Executive vice president Stella Li told Carwow.es last month that the company's first solid-state battery vehicle would debut in 2027. The car was displayed at a BYD Flash Charging station, indicating support for megawatt flash charging. Zheng Yu, executive general manager of Yangwang, stated the car will feature "unprecedented disruptive technology" without providing further specifics.

Hu Xiaoqing released images of the vehicle undergoing testing last month. The car was disguised but matched the size and shape of high-end European sedans. Earlier Yangwang models utilized the quad-motor e4 platform, which provides 1,300 horsepower, and the DiSus-X intelligent body control system. That system allows a vehicle to jump and drive on three wheels. The new model aims to compete directly with established luxury marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach.

The U7 electric sedan, currently Yangwang's primary passenger car, starts at 658,000 yuan, or $98,000. The brand also produces the U8 and U8L plug-in hybrid luxury off-road SUVs and the U9 electric super-coupe. The new flagship sedan will sit above all these models in the Yangwang lineup. The decision to launch in the UAE first represents a strategic move to establish the brand in a key market for luxury vehicles before introducing it to Chinese consumers.