No Dealers, No Problem
Chinese automakers remain effectively absent from the U.S. market due to factors such as ongoing geopolitical tensions. For ultra-wealthy enthusiasts like Richard Skelhorn, however, those obstacles don’t pose much of a barrier. Skelhorn recently brought his BYD Yangwang U9 to Miami, Florida, even claiming that the electric hypercar marked its first-ever appearance on American soil.
Before dismissing the BYD Yangwang U9, it is worth noting that the electric hypercar has already built an impressive résumé on paper. The high-performance U9 Xtreme variant is reported to have achieved a claimed top speed of 496.22 km/h (308.33 mph), surpassing benchmark-setting hypercars such as the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. In addition, the same model is said to be the first production electric sports car to break the seven-minute barrier at the Nürburgring, recording a lap time of 6:59.157 – essentially making it the fastest of its kind.
A Tourist Visa for a Hypercar
According to Skelhorn, he purchased the U9 in August before registering the vehicle in Dubai. He described the Chinese-built EV as merely a “tourist,” explaining that it is required to leave the country after a year. He showcased the U9 on Instagram alongside another compelling EV, the TeslaCybertruck.
Specs-wise, the BYD U9 Xtreme is equipped with four electric motors producing a combined 3,000 horsepower – roughly 900 horsepower more than the Rimac Nevera R, an all-electric hypercar developed within the same engineering group that oversees Bugatti. Vehicles like these help explain why traditional horsepower wars have become increasingly irrelevant today, though they still show what modern advancements are capable of achieving.
Unapologetic EV Ambition
However, some of these innovations may push the envelope a bit too far. The U9, for example, comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-X suspension system, which allows the EV to physically hop off the ground – a capability Skelhorn demonstrated in his social media post. While the feature is said to be designed to help the car clear obstacles such as potholes, it can also feel more like a technology statement piece meant to get people talking. Its SUV sibling, the Yangwang U8, takes things even further, showcasing the ability to drive through water—an unusual but potentially useful feature during emergency flooding situations.
Regardless of how advanced these Chinese EVs become, the American market is unlikely to see them anytime soon, especially now that the current administration has further increased tariffs on imported vehicles. BYD has instead focused its efforts on other regions, including Europe, where models such as the Atto 3 and Dolphin appear to be performing well in terms of sales. The strategy has paid off, with BYD even surpassing Tesla as the world’s best-selling EV manufacturer last year.
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