BYD's top electric sedan to debut in UAE

BYD will introduce its new flagship electric sedan in the United Arab Emirates, bypassing its home market for the global reveal. Hu Xiaoqing, general manager of the luxury sub-brand Yangwang, confirmed the launch location this week. The company has not yet announced a specific date for the unveiling.

The vehicle is the largest electric sedan BYD has produced. Local reports estimate its length at 5,500 mm, or 216 inches. Rumored pricing starts at 2 million yuan, which converts to approximately $300,000. This price point places the car well above the brand's current luxury lineup.

The model targets established ultra-luxury competitors such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach. This represents a sharp shift for a manufacturer best known for the Seagull, a small hatchback selling for under $10,000 in China. BYD now operates three sub-brands, Denza, FangChengBao, and Yangwang, alongside its main Dynasty and Ocean lines. Yangwang serves as the top tier of this structure.

Hu released photos of the disguised sedan undergoing testing last month. The car featured rear-hinged coach doors, a first for the manufacturer. Zheng Yu, Yangwang's executive general manager, stated the vehicle will include disruptive technology but provided no technical details. The sedan was photographed at a BYD Flash Charging station, suggesting it supports megawatt charging.

Reports indicate the car will be the first BYD model to use solid-state batteries. Stella Li, executive vice president, told Carwow.es last month that the company's first solid-state battery vehicle would debut in 2027. The new sedan is expected to make its official debut this month.

The new flagship sits above Yangwang's existing models. The 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 also make up the current lineup. The extended U8L is the brand's most expensive mass-produced vehicle, starting at 1.45 million yuan, or $217,000.