BYD primes Bentley-rivalling Yangwang brand for European launch

BYD has finally confirmed plans to launch its high-end Yangwang brand in Europe, more than two years after introducing it in China.

Yangwang is the Chinese company's high-end marque, sitting above the core BYD line-up and the new Denza premium brand with a range of tech-heavy, high-performance flagship models that are pitched as rivals to the likes of Bentley, Porsche and Ferrari. 

The brand was launched in 2023 with the Yangwang U8 - a huge range-extender luxury SUV that packs more than 1000bhp, outpaces the BMW M3, can turn 360deg on the spot and floats on water. 

That was followed shortly after by the U9 (pictured below), an electric supercar that cracks 240mph and can use its fully hydraulic suspension to jump on the spot or drive on three wheels. 

Both cars have been on sale in China for around two years, priced at the equivalent of £120,000 and £200,000 respectively, but despite showing both models at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year, BYD did not officially confirm plans for a European roll-out.

But now, BYD vice president Stella Li has told Autocar that "our plan is that we will bring Yangwang into Europe", following the launch of the Audi-rivalling Denza marque early next year. 

She stopped short of giving full details, but said the U8 and U9 are earmarked for European sale, as well as "more cars coming" including the U7 super-saloon - a quad-motor Lotus Emeya rival with 1250bhp and 1237lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds. 

The move will make BYD the first Chinese manufacturer to enter Europe's top-rung luxury market, though it remains unclear whether the company plans to significantly undercut the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and Ferrari 296 on price. The costs of converting the Yangwang cars to right-hand drive, and exporting them to Europe where BYD's EVs face a 17% tariff, will mean they are likely to command a significant premium here compared to China.