We were recently invited by BYD Cars Philippines (AC Mobility, the distributor) and BYD Philippines (the local subsidiary) for a week-long brand immersion with the brand that encourages you to Build Your Dreams. This ambitious trip of more than 40 automotive journalists and influencers was two years in the making and easily the biggest motoring media contingent sent overseas in recent history.
We were originally scheduled to go to the province of Xi’an after visiting the headquarters in Shenzhen, but a few weeks before the trip, we were redirected to Zhengzhou, the home of BYD’s Mega Factory, as well as its newly opened New Energy Vehicle (NEV) multi-terrain proving ground.
BYD HQ, Shenzhen
Shenzhen, China, is the home of BYD, and despite the limited time we had at the prodigious HQ complex, we were able to view several cars from BYD’s sub-brands, including Yangwang, Denza, and Fang Cheng Bao, as well as tour some of the displays in the building to further appreciate BYD’s history, technology, and rapid growth. Our audience with Mr. Liu Xiuelang, BYD Asia Pacific Auto Division’s General Manager, set the tone for our itinerary in Zhengzhou.
The BYD headquarters was impressive, to say the least. The facilities, the display, and the brief yet eventful history of BYD were all impressive. It was obvious that they were used to hosting big groups, with staff assigned every step of the way. They exuded a sense of efficiency and demonstrated the global focus of BYD as a brand. Despite the language barrier, they made sure that there were English-speaking personnel to guide us, or at least some with Google Translate on the ready. The displays were world-class and had none of those typical typographical errors that are common to other brands. Such an improvement may seem like a small thing, but it counts a lot for global preparedness.
Because we were literally running away from the impending arrival of Typhoon Ragasa, we were unable to visit some of the facilities in our schedule, like the crash test and NVH laboratories, which was a shame because we heard they were equally impressive.
BYD Zhengzhou
On the same day as the visit to the HQ, we made our way to Zhengzhou, in Henan Province, another important place for BYD.
Located in Central China, Zhengzhou houses BYD’s Mega EV Factory that will occupy around 130 square kilometers once completed, making it bigger than the city of San Francisco. The factory was designed to produce over one million electric vehicles per year to supply the different markets where BYD and its subbrands can be found. Functioning almost like a city, the massive campus houses integrated production facilities, housing units, schools, hospitals, and sports fields for its workers.
The first item in our Zhengzhou itinerary was a visit to BYD’s Di Space—China’s first museum dedicated to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). With about 15,000 square meters in floor space, the four-story building features static and interactive displays that bring to life the brand’s history, technological innovations, and vehicles, plus a gift shop you’d actually want to get merch from. Costing nearly 200 million yuan to build, the exhibition space is divided into four floors: brand culture on the first floor; design aesthetics, experimental manufacturing, and technological innovations on the second and third floors; and the Science and Technology Discovery Space on the fourth floor. Similar to the HQ, BYD’s “Patent Waterfall” had a prominent part in the exhibit as a stunning visual presentation of the more than 35,000 technology patents BYD has.
The following day, we headed to the newly opened BYD Zhengzhou Circuit. Officially opened on August 14, 2025, our Philippine contingent was the first group from the Asia Pacific region to visit the facility and one of the first globally. The circuit is the first of three facilities that BYD is building in China specifically for new energy vehicles (NEVs). The other two will be located in Hefei and Shaoxing.
The Zhengzhou Circuit features eight experience zones, each highlighting the strengths of specific BYD vehicles. The eight zones include the Indoor Dune, the Low-Friction Ring, the Kick-Plate, the Wading Pool, the Dynamic Paddock, the Race Track, the Off-Road Park, and the Camp Area.
Our experience started with a demonstration at the Indoor Sand Dune that has a 28-degree slope and a 29.6-meter vertical drop. The installation was certified by Guinness World Records as the highest and largest dune climbing facility for car testing. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to drive this vehicle, the professional drivers maneuvered the BYD Yangwang U8 SUV with ease.
Next, we were guided to the Wading Pool, where the Floatation Mode of the Yangwang U8 and its e4 platform was demonstrated. Among its many talents is the ability to operate submerged in up to 1.x meters of water for up to 30 minutes without losing its functionality or taking in water. Flotation Mode allows the driver to steer the vehicle while submerged while also employing safety features such as automatically opening the sunroof to allow the passengers to escape to safety if needed.
The delegation was then divided into smaller groups for more hands-on testing. Our group tackled the Skid Plate that simulates icy road conditions and the Low Friction Circle next, which basically demonstrated the vehicle’s stability in a controlled environment. Using a Denza Z9 GT, we learned how to do controlled drifts on the specially designed circular track. Fun times. After that, we were shuttled to the 15,300-square-meter Dynamic Paddock area, which features numerous scenarios that showcase the full range of BYD technologies. These exercises include a slalom course, moose testing, and automated parThe Off-Road Track followed, featuring a total of 27 off-road scenarios that ranged from beginner to advanced levels across various terrains and elevations.evations. The obstacles were designed to showcase the articulation of the SUV, along with the various settings and functions that could be activated with a simple touch of a finger.
As luck would have it, our group’s final activity for the day was taxi rides with the infamous YangWang U9 around the 1,758-meter Race Track. The standard version we rode produces up to 1290 HP, and we were pushing 160 km/h at the 550-meter-long straight of the track. The Xtreme variant of this electric hypercar currently holds the record as being the fastest production car on Earth for clocking 496.22 kph at the Automotive Testing Papenburg test track in Germany. We were not prepared for the G-force that car produced, but the adrenaline rush was the perfect bookmark for our day and our trip.
Big impression
This trip had a lasting effect on me. The level of innovation, meticulous planning, and forward-thinking I saw in BYD’s facilities is truly awe-inspiring. BYD is not just leading in technology—they’re setting new benchmarks for the automotive industry across the board.
What struck me most was their never-ending search for excellence—whether it’s in the design of their vehicles, the safety features, or their commitment to sustainable mobility. BYD isn’t just another automotive company; it’s a pioneer shaping the future of mobility. Witnessing their operations up close—and seeing the passion and precision that goes into every vehicle—reinforced my belief that BYD is truly a global leader. They’re not only redefining what an electric vehicle can be but also inspiring the entire industry to think bigger and bolder.
It’s clear that BYD’s future is bright, and I look forward to seeing more of their groundbreaking sub-brands reach our shores. If their facilities and their technological advancements are any indication, the best is yet to come.