The WANG might just be the new THANG!

Article Title: “The Chinese Are Coming: Why the WANGWANG Might Just Be the Bold Future of Electric Cars”

Let’s be honest. If someone rolled up to a BBQ in Australia and said they were driving a YANGWANG, there would be a few raised eyebrows and possibly some snickers. The name, for starters, doesn’t exactly scream luxury—more like the punchline of a joke about mispronouncing foreign brands. But, mate, once you get past the odd branding, things start getting pretty serious.

BYD, the Chinese powerhouse behind the YANGWANG brand, is making waves. They’re not just dipping a toe into the luxury electric market—they’ve cannonballed in, creating ripples that the Germans, Japanese, and the rest of the car industry can’t ignore. And it’s not just about numbers, it’s about some wild, forward-thinking engineering that makes even the most cynical of us car buffs sit up and take notice.

The SUV that Floats?! Meet the WANG U8

BYD’s flagship SUV, the YANGWANG U8, is a bit of a show-off. On paper, it’s a Land Rover Defender competitor. But when you factor in that the U8 can float—yes, float for 40 minutes—you start to realize this thing isn’t playing by the rules. Let’s not pretend this is a feature anyone needs, unless your morning commute involves crossing the Murray River without a ferry, but that’s not the point. It’s there because BYD is having a laugh and flexing its engineering muscles in a way that makes the old guard of the car industry look… well, a bit stiff and boring.

BYD’s U8 is rugged, electric, and all kinds of ridiculous in the best way possible. It’s an SUV that can drive through water, and it’s making the automotive world wonder why traditional luxury brands can’t seem to match this level of playful innovation.

The Supercar with Over 1000 Horsepower

Now let’s talk about YANGWANG’s real party trick: the YANGWANG U9, an electric supercar that packs over 1000 horsepower. Yes, you heard that right—a Chinese electric supercar with a four-digit horsepower figure that can go from 0-100 km/h in a blistering 2 seconds flat. It’s not just fast for a Chinese car. It’s fast full stop.

This thing isn’t playing around. It’s designed to steal attention from the likes of Ferrari and McLaren, and it’s doing it while being completely electric. The U9 has that jaw-dropping futuristic look—aggressive, sleek, and unmistakably modern—that would turn heads on any street from Sydney to Shanghai.

From Gimmick to Global Player

Now, let’s be real. Chinese cars are still viewed by many as a bit of a gimmick. Ten years ago, no one would’ve taken the idea of a Chinese luxury car seriously, let alone a supercar that makes the Italians sweat. But here’s the kicker: they’ve learned fast—really fast. While the Japanese took half a century to go from small, quirky cars to dominating with the likes of the Supra and the Skyline, the Chinese are coming in hard, fast, and without the usual years of trial and error.

BYD’s masterstroke is volume. They don’t need to make the perfect car on day one. They’ll flood the market with affordable electric vehicles (EVs) that do the job and look good doing it. Sure, the jury’s still out on long-term quality, but that’s not the game they’re playing right now. It’s volume, value, and an overwhelming presence.

The Electric Appliance Era

And let’s be honest—electric cars are more like appliances now, aren’t they? It’s as if the romance of petrol and performance has been replaced with range anxiety and software updates. The great homologated legends—Sierra RS500 Cosworth, BMW M3, Lancia Delta Integrale—all gone. They’ve been swapped out for SUVs that fill car parks but leave a gaping hole in the soul of motoring. This is where the Chinese saw the opportunity. As Western brands turned their legends into heavy, bland SUVs, China went straight for the electric jugular.

The truth is, electric cars will probably become more disposable—whether we like it or not. The days of holding on to your car for 15 years are dwindling. And BYD knows it. Their plan? Get us used to buying new electric cars every few years, just like we do with our phones or fridges. The mainstream brands may have opened the door with their SUV obsession, but the Chinese are storming through it with cost-effective, mass-market EVs that people will trade in as often as they change their phones.

Tactility: The Old Guard’s Last Stand?

But here’s where I think the old boys still have a chance—tactility. You know, that driving feel that’s been all but lost in the constant race for bigger numbers, more horsepower, and faster 0-100 times. Sure, we love the idea of speed, but where’s the finesse? Cars have become about straight-line sprints, when they used to be about carving up a winding road with precision, feedback, and, dare I say, fun.

This is where battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) fall flat. They’re heavy, and that weight suits big, lumbering SUVs and this “straight-line sprint” mantra perfectly. But what about the cars that make you feel something? The ones that dance through corners, giving you a driving experience that’s about more than just raw power? The big brands could still win us back by focusing on that tactile connection between car and driver—something electric motors just don’t quite deliver.

Take a look at the latest Porsche 911 Hybrid. It might just be the blueprint for how the old guard can still fight back. By keeping some petrol in the mix, Porsche is showing us that hybrids might just be the bridge between a dull, appliance-like EV future and a world where driving still stirs the soul. But they better act fast, because the Chinese aren’t waiting around.

Will the Big Boys Respond?

So, what happens next? Can the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Ford rise from their SUV-heavy slumber and face the challenge head-on? Or are they going to be left playing catch-up to the WANGWANGs of the world? Because if you think about it, BYD isn’t just producing cars—they’re experimenting, having a bit of fun, and making us all wonder if the old guard has any tricks left up its sleeve.

One thing’s for sure: the Chinese aren’t coming—they’re already here. And whether you’re ready to drive a YANGWANG or not, you’d better believe the auto industry will never be the same.

 

 

Check out this fantastic overview of by the YouTube channel the Fully Charged Show