BYD Great Tang: Record pre-orders for the new electric crossover
Chinese automaker BYD, which had been demonstrating rapid growth for a long time, recently recorded its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year sales decline. This is happening despite the launch of several new models aimed at stopping the downturn. However, one of the company’s new products is showing impressive success.
Impressive pre-order figures
The all-electric BYD Great Tang SUV, introduced earlier this year and shown at the Beijing Auto Show two weeks ago, set a record. In the first 24 hours after opening pre-orders, over 30,000 applications were submitted. In total, over two weeks, the number of pre-orders exceeded 100,000.
These are extraordinary figures for a car that surpasses models like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9, sold in the West, in size. It is evident that Chinese buyers still have a demand for luxury SUVs if their price is acceptable.
Technical specifications and prices
The base version of the Great Tang starts at a price of 250,000 yuan (approximately $36,700 USD). This is an extremely low cost, considering the car is built on the new Super e platform, equipped with a second-generation Blade battery, and features a 1000-volt electrical architecture. This model has a single electric motor on the rear axle with 496 hp and can travel up to 950 km (590 miles) according to the optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle.
The top version is priced at 320,000 yuan ($47,000 USD) and produces 784 hp, significantly surpassing the most powerful versions of the Ioniq 9 and EV9.
Comfort and innovations in the cabin
In addition to the power and advanced battery technology, which allows charging the Great Tang from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes, buyers get a cabin filled with features. The standard configuration includes a 2+2+3 layout, three screens on the front panel, and a display that lowers from the ceiling for rear passengers.
The success of the BYD Great Tang demonstrates that even against the backdrop of the company’s overall sales decline, a correctly positioned product can generate real excitement. The combination of an affordable price, advanced technologies (including ultra-fast charging), and luxurious features makes this model extremely attractive for the Chinese market. It also indicates that BYD is betting on the large electric SUV segment, which could be key to restoring the company’s growth rate. It remains to be seen whether the company can scale production to meet such enormous demand and whether this model will be introduced in other markets where competition from traditional automakers is significantly higher.