BYD Brings Two Models Of This Gagah SUV To Europe To Compete With Mercedes G-Class And Land Rover Defender

Yangwang U8. (Doc. BYD Global)

JAKARTA - BYD, a car manufacturer from China, is preparing to make a surprise by launching SUVs that will compete with several well-known models, such as Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Land Rover Defender, and Ford Bronco in Europe.

According to an Automobilwoche report on Monday, January 22, the company, based in Shenzhen, China, is considering exporting two of its models, namely Yangwang U8 and Fang Cheng Bao 5 to the blue continent.

BYD is said to be showing off Yangwang U8, a large luxury SUV during the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show which will be held from February 26 to March 3.

According to BYD, Yangwang U8 has off-road capabilities and can float in water for half an hour weighing up to 3.5 tons. The SUV has an electric drive on each wheel, so it has the capability to run in all terrains.

This car has an electric motor that can produce up to 882 kW of power with a 49 kWh battery which has a pure electric range of up to 1,000 km, so it has the efficiency and distance of a gasoline engine.

Meanwhile, Fang Cheng Bao 5 is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) car that has a combined power between a gasoline engine and an electric motor of up to 505 kW. It is stated that the model is the cheapest option compared to Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender.

Yangwang U8 is expected to be priced at 140,000 euros, equivalent to IDR 2.3 billion and Fang Cheng Bao 5 at a price of around 40,000 euros or IDR 681.4 million.

This can also smooth out the company's target as one of the top five brands in the European region based on sales in 2030. BYD is currently building a factory on the blue continent, to be precise in Hungary with an initial capacity of 200,000 units per year.