China’s BYD is introducing three new models of its Fangchengbao off-road vehicle range

BYD has launched three new models, including two concept cars, under its flagship Fangchengbao brand. China’s electric car giant is stepping up its efforts to penetrate the high-end segment.

The Bao 8 off-road vehicle, the Super 3 concept crossover and the Super 9 concept sports car celebrated their debuts in a live-streamed event on Tuesday evening. The company will launch them at the Beijing auto show, which starts at the end of next week.

BYD did not announce pricing or when the vehicles would be available.

Most Fangchengbao models feature a plug-in hybrid system called Dual Mode Off-Road (DMO), which BYD developed to improve off-road driving performance through lower fuel consumption and higher performance said chief scientist Lian Yubo at the event.

Toyota’s Land Cruiser, Stellantis’ Jeep and Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover are the leading players in the SUV segment that BYD is tackling with its electric vehicles.

BYD also developed the stylish design of the Super 9 sports car, for which chief designer Wolfgang Josef Egger, who has already worked on European luxury brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi and Lamborghini, is responsible.

BYD launched Fangchengbao late last year as one of three premium car brands. The other two brands are Denza and Yangwang.

Under the Yangwang brand, BYD has also launched a hybrid SUV and sports car, selling over 1 million yuan ($138,132.99).

BYD said it has delivered about 20,000 units of the Bao 5, the first model of the Fangchengbao brand, since deliveries of the hybrid off-road vehicle began in November, priced from 289,900 yuan.

($1 = 7.2394 Chinese Yuan Renminbi) (Reporting by Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Editing by Gerry Doyle)