Chine
Yangwang
Yangwang (仰望, meaning "to look up" or "to admire" in Mandarin) is an ultra-high-end Chinese automotive brand founded in January 2023 by BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It sits at the very top of BYD's brand hierarchy, positioned above Denza and Fangchengbao (Fang Cheng Bao). Yangwang was publicly unveiled in early 2023 with two flagship vehicles: the U8, a large adventure-oriented plug-in hybrid SUV, and the U9, a fully electric supercar. The U8 was presented on January 5, 2023 and went on sale in China on April 18, 2023, while the U9 was officially revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023 and then launched in 2024. The brand targets the luxury segment, with prices that generally exceed one million yuan (roughly US$140,000), a range in which it competes with prestigious European automakers. The first Yangwang showroom opened in Shanghai on September 27, 2023, followed by a planned rollout of direct-to-consumer sales networks across several dozen Chinese cities. The lineup later expanded with the U7 (a full-size sedan, plug-in hybrid and electric, from 2025) and the long-wheelbase U8L. BYD, founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu first as a battery manufacturer before becoming one of the world's largest makers of electrified vehicles, leverages its vertical mastery of technology (Blade batteries, powertrains, electronics) in service of Yangwang. Internationally, BYD has announced a gradual rollout of Yangwang starting in the Middle East in early 2026, then Europe, with an eventual arrival on the American continent envisioned for later. As of this writing, Yangwang is not officially marketed in North America, and the brand has no dealer network or factory in Canada or the United States.
ActiveLuxePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireChinoises
History
History of Yangwang
Yangwang (仰望, meaning "to look up" or "to admire" in Mandarin) is an ultra-high-end Chinese automotive brand founded in January 2023 by BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It sits at the very top of BYD's brand hierarchy, positioned above Denza and Fangchengbao (Fang Cheng Bao). Yangwang was publicly unveiled in early 2023 with two flagship vehicles: the U8, a large adventure-oriented plug-in hybrid SUV, and the U9, a fully electric supercar. The U8 was presented on January 5, 2023 and went on sale in China on April 18, 2023, while the U9 was officially revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023 and then launched in 2024. The brand targets the luxury segment, with prices that generally exceed one million yuan (roughly US$140,000), a range in which it competes with prestigious European automakers. The first Yangwang showroom opened in Shanghai on September 27, 2023, followed by a planned rollout of direct-to-consumer sales networks across several dozen Chinese cities. The lineup later expanded with the U7 (a full-size sedan, plug-in hybrid and electric, from 2025) and the long-wheelbase U8L. BYD, founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu first as a battery manufacturer before becoming one of the world's largest makers of electrified vehicles, leverages its vertical mastery of technology (Blade batteries, powertrains, electronics) in service of Yangwang. Internationally, BYD has announced a gradual rollout of Yangwang starting in the Middle East in early 2026, then Europe, with an eventual arrival on the American continent envisioned for later. As of this writing, Yangwang is not officially marketed in North America, and the brand has no dealer network or factory in Canada or the United States.
Public founding or origin of Yangwang.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Yangwang serves as a technology showcase for BYD. Its vehicles are built on the "e4" platform (易四方), a system of four independent electric motors, one per wheel, capable of distributing torque individually and correcting traction more than 100 times per second — enough to pivot in place ("tank turn"), keep going after a high-speed tire blowout, and even briefly float the U8. The DiSus active suspension (available in C, A, P and X versions) combines variable damping, air suspension and a hydraulic system that can adjust ride height by up to 500 mm/s. The U8 is a plug-in hybrid pairing four motors with a turbocharged gasoline unit acting as a range extender; the U9 is fully electric and high-performance. The U7 introduces the second-generation Blade battery, announced with more than 1,000 km of CLTC range.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
BYD's ultra-high-end brand, a showcase for its most advanced electric and hybrid technologies, for luxury and performance vehicles.
Reputation
As a recent brand, Yangwang does not yet have an established reliability record or resale value, especially outside China where it is not sold. Its reputation rests first and foremost on spectacular technology demonstrations (driving on three wheels, pivoting in place, floating) widely covered in specialized reviews, which praise BYD's engineering. Observers highlight the mechanical and electronic sophistication, while remaining cautious about long-term durability, after-sales service outside China, and the residual value of a very expensive niche product. The perception in North America remains largely theoretical, given the absence of an official presence and any track record on maintenance.
Strengths
An exceptional technology showcase for BYD: independent quad-motor e4 powertrain, DiSus active suspension, Blade batteries and advanced electrification. Spectacular performance and off-road or track capabilities, luxurious finish, top-tier electric range, and vertical integration that ensures component consistency. A cutting-edge image and striking engineering demonstrations.
Points to watch
A very young brand with no reliability record or resale value, and absent from North America: no dealers, no after-sales service, and no easily accessible parts in Quebec. Very high prices, niche products, and technological complexity that can complicate maintenance. Its reputation outside China is still unproven, and there is uncertainty about future availability.
Models
Yangwang models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Yangwang does not have a separate factory under its own banner: its vehicles are designed and assembled by BYD in China, which controls in-house almost the entire supply chain (Blade batteries, motors, power electronics, semiconductors). BYD operates vast industrial and battery complexes, notably in Shenzhen (headquarters), Chongqing, in Guangdong, and in Qinghai. No Yangwang production or facility exists in North America: the brand is not distributed in Canada or the United States. The announced international rollout begins in the Middle East in 2026, then Europe, with the arrival on the American continent mentioned as a later, unconfirmed step.
Tires and wheels
Yangwang vehicles are large, heavy machines fitted with large-diameter tires: the U8 SUV comes standard with tires of the 275/50R22 type (22-inch wheel), with a 275/60R20 variant on 20-inch wheels; the long-wheelbase versions and the sedans can go up to 22 or 23 inches. Given the mass and the instant torque of the electric powertrains, the load and speed ratings of the tires are crucial. Since these vehicles are not sold in Quebec, the exact dimensions remain indicative; for any electrified vehicle driven through winter here, certified winter tires (mountain/snowflake symbol) rated for the load are essential, ideally mounted on a second set of wheels to preserve the large factory wheels.