The spectacular floating Yangwang U8 plug-in hybrid luxury SUV is on the list to come to Australia rebadged as a Denza. And its compatriot, the dancing Yangwang U9 supercar, could turn up as part of the premium brand’s line-up too.
Both Yangwang and Denza are sub-brands of the Chinese auto giant BYD along with off-road specialist Fangchengbao.
But in much of the world, including Australia, Denza has been designated as the export brand.
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It will launch in Australia before the end of 2025, and will draw models from its own portfolio as well as Fangchengbao and Yangwang for a local line-up of EVs and PHEVs that is expected to rapidly expand into multiple segments.
“It’s great for me because I have the choice of which products in the family I want to bring in under the Denza badge,” newly-appointed Denza Australia & New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland told Ev Authority.
He confirmed the U8 is on his list of future vehicles, although his focus is on establishing the brand locally first, before bringing in such a high-end and expensive vehicle.
“The U8 is a vehicle I would like to get to Australia, but not on day one,” he said.
“It is really a premium vehicle. If you look at the price they sell it at in China it would be the equivalent of $250,000 Australian dollars.
“I love that car, it certainly wouldn’t be high volume. I want to establish the Denza brand with Australians as being capable with on-road or off-road cars before I ask someone to give us $200,000 to $250,000.”
“I want to establish the dealers, the customer experience and brand being capable of driving on the road or off-road tracks before I ask for someone’s $250,000.”
The Yangwang U8 has attracted plenty of attention because it has the ability to float in deep water.
But beyond that party trick, it’s a stupendously powerful (880kW/1280Nm), heavy (3460kg) and expensive plug-in hybrid off-roader designed to go head-to-head with luxury Range Rovers.
There’s an even more expensive and palatial U8L on-sale in China as well.
Examples of the U8 have been on tour in Australia for some time. In 2023 former BYD importer Luke Todd claimed it could be on-sale here in 2025.
But even Todd ruled out the U9, which Harland has now acknowledged could be coming to Australia
“There will be some form of a sports car in the Denza portfolio in the future,” Harland confirmed. “Not on day one, but definitely in the portfolio going forward. The nice thing is there is a choice.”
Those other sport cars options could include the Denza Z unveiled at the Shanghai show and a production version of the Fangchengbao Super 9 first shown in 2024.
“Probably the next time I go to China there’ll be more that they’ve just developed,” Harland admitted.
The Denza line-up in Australia is expected to include at the Fangchengbao Bao 5 and 8, rebadged as the Denza B5 and B8.
The B5 is Toyota Prado-sized and the B8 lines up against the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
Other models in the mix are the Denza Z9 GT station wagon and D9 luxury people-mover.
But it’s the B5 and B8 that have Harland most excited about sales potential, given the Australian love for SUVs. Both PHEVs have significant off-road capability.
Harland has already promised Denza models would be “accessible” on pricing, which means they will likely undercut the Toyotas and potentially sit well below $100,000.
Combined with promised cutting edge technology and luxury equipment, the intention is to quickly establish Denza as one of Australia’s premium segment leaders.
“When I go to [Denza HQ in] China I started with one [sales] bar and I think I left with a whole other number,” said Harland.
“They go ‘oh well you can have all this product as long as you sign up to this new number’.
“All jokes aside, yes the volume expectations are high, but they also understand this is a premium brand, this is playing in a different place than BYD and other brands.
“So it’s not mainstream and we want to build it the right way. We want to build the brand, we want to build the customer experience, we want to establish some really good dealers.
“So let’s not just chuck a bunch of product at the market and hope that we hit a massive sales target.”
Denza is expected to launch in Australia with a 10-strong dealer line-up that will steadily expand.
