BYD just sold its most expensive EV ever for nearly $3 million

BYD’s 3,000 hp electric supercar, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, sold for nearly $3 million at the Beijing Auto Show, making it the event’s highest-priced vehicle.

BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme sells for a record $3 million

Although BYD is best known for low-cost vehicles like the $10,000 Seagull (Dolphin Surf in Europe), Dolphin hatch, and the Atto 3 SUV, the company is quickly expanding into new luxury segments.

Outside its core Dynasty and Ocean series, BYD has several luxury sub-brands, including Denza, Yangwang, and Fang Cheng Bao, each offering unique vehicles.

While all are considered premium brands, Yangwang is the most expensive, focusing on performance and advanced technologies.

Yangwang debuted the production version of the U9 Xtreme, a 3,000 hp electric supercar, at the Beijing Auto Show last week. According to Li Yunfei, general manager of BYD’s branding and public relations, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme sold for over 20 million yuan a piece, making it the most expensive car sold at the event.

The electric supercar is extremely limited, with only 30 units for sale globally. However, this isn’t your average vehicle either.

Built on a 1,200V platform and equipped with four electric motors, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme delivers a combined 2,977 hp (2,220 kW) of output.

In September, it became the fastest production car in history with a top speed of 496.22 km/h (308 mph), and weeks later BYD announced the Yangwang U9 Xtreme “conquered the Nürburgring Nordschleife in record time, completing the lap in 6:59.157, making it the fastest EV production vehicle around the track.”

With just 30 units for sale globally, calling it a “production vehicle” is questionable. At nearly $3 million (20 million yuan), it would be the most expensive production vehicle BYD has sold to date. In comparison, the standard Yangwang U9 starts at 1.8 million yuan ($265,000) in China.

Either way, the Yangwang U9 is an impressive vehicle with BYD’s DiSus-X intelligent body control system, enabling it to “dance,” jump, and drive on three wheels.