BYD Prepares Larger Yuan Max SUV to Strengthen Its EV Sales Momentum

BYD continues to push for growth despite already record-breaking results. In November alone, BYD sold more than 480,000 vehicles, yet the company is already preparing its next move: a larger electric SUV expected to join the popular Yuan lineup, tentatively called the BYD Yuan Max.

The new model is designed to expand the reach of the Yuan family, which remains one of BYD’s best-selling EV series but has recently shown signs of slowing momentum.

Spy Photos Reveal a Familiar but Larger Yuan

Recent spy shots from China show a heavily camouflaged SUV wrapped in blue test livery. Despite the disguise, several key details are already clear:

• The front-end styling closely resembles the Yuan Plus

• Semi-flush door handles improve aerodynamics

• Inside, the steering wheel prominently features the Chinese character “元” (Yuan), confirming its place within the Yuan family

Although BYD has not officially confirmed the final name, some reports suggest the model could be branded Yuan L instead of Yuan Max. Either way, its positioning within the Yuan lineup is clear.

Bigger Size Targets Broader Buyer Appeal

Vehicle size plays a critical role in purchase decisions, especially in the compact-to-mid-size SUV segment. According to early reports, the Yuan Max will be similar in size to the BYD Song Pro:

• Length: approximately 4.73 meters

• Wheelbase: 2.71 meters

By comparison, the current BYD Yuan Plus measures about 4.45 meters in length. The added size should translate into:

• More rear-seat legroom

• A larger trunk

• Greater appeal to small families

This positions the Yuan Max neatly between compact city-focused EVs and much larger family SUVs.

Affordable EV Strategy Remains Central

BYD’s Yuan lineup has been successful largely due to aggressive pricing:

• Entry-level prices from RMB 74,800 (~€9,100)

• Higher trims from RMB 147,800 (~€18,000)

Currently, the family includes the Yuan Up and Yuan Plus, both aimed at budget-conscious EV buyers. The upcoming Yuan Max is expected to maintain this value-first philosophy, offering more space without a significant jump in price.

Why BYD Needs the Yuan Max

Sales data explains BYD’s urgency:

• Yuan series sales in November: 47,835 units

• Year-on-year decline: just over 15%

• Month-on-month drop: 2.18%

• Jan–Nov total Yuan sales: 393,062 vehicles

That still accounts for nearly 10% of BYD’s total sales, but even small declines matter at this scale.

Meanwhile, BYD’s overall November sales reached 480,186 New Energy Vehicles, the brand’s best month of the year, though still 5.25% lower year-on-year — proof that even industry leaders are under constant pressure to innovate.

Big Picture

The Yuan Max is designed to fill a critical gap in BYD’s lineup — offering a slightly larger, more practical SUV while staying within the affordable Yuan family. By doing so, BYD makes life harder for rivals competing in the mass-market EV segment.

More space, familiar branding, and aggressive pricing could be exactly what the Yuan series needs to regain momentum once the camouflage finally comes off.