Fangchengbao
BYD Auto's specialized vehicle brand for performance-oriented, off-road and personalized vehicles.
Last updated October 12, 2026
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Overview
Fangchengbao, also rendered as Formula Bao, is a Chinese automotive sub-brand owned by BYD Auto. BYD introduced the brand in June 2023 as part of a broader expansion of its multi-brand portfolio, alongside the premium Yangwang marque. The name combines the Chinese characters for “formula” and “leopard,” expressing a design and product philosophy centered on technical capability, distinctive styling and an adventurous character. Its logo is associated with the idea of mathematical formulae and the brand’s name rather than with a conventional family-car identity. The marque was created to occupy a specialized space between BYD’s mass-market vehicles and its more expensive premium brands. Its initial emphasis has been on body-on-frame or body-on-frame-inspired sport-utility vehicles, off-road usability, plug-in hybrid powertrains and performance-oriented driving. Fangchengbao’s first production vehicle, the Bao 5, was unveiled at the Chengdu Auto Show in August 2023. The vehicle uses BYD’s DMO, or Dual Mode Off-road, plug-in hybrid platform, and combines an electric-assisted powertrain with the visual language and structural positioning of a rugged off-road SUV. Production began in September 2023, and the model entered the Chinese market in November. The company reported 10,000 orders within three days of launch. The brand’s second major vehicle, the Bao 8, was previewed through the Super 8 concept and presented as a larger flagship SUV. At the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, Fangchengbao also showed the Super 3 compact SUV concept and the Super 9 sports-car concept. The Super 3 subsequently previewed the smaller electric SUV that became associated with the Tai 3 name, while the Super 9 concept was later linked in the reference material to development as a Denza Z vehicle. Other announced or referenced products include the Bao 3 battery-electric SUV, a range of Tai or Ti vehicles, Formula-branded sedans and a pickup known as the Fangchengbao Shark. Availability, naming and launch timing for several of these vehicles may vary by market and by subsequent product strategy. Fangchengbao initially relied on directly operated stores, differentiating its retail model from BYD’s more dealership-oriented distribution system. In June 2024 it began recruiting dealers across Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to broaden market coverage. The move reflected an effort to scale beyond a controlled urban showroom network while retaining a specialized brand identity. In the same period, general manager Xiong Tianbo said the marque had sold 20,000 vehicles in China during its first six months, according to the referenced material. In July 2024, Fangchengbao reduced the Chinese price of the Bao 5 by CNY 50,000. The adjustment was intended to strengthen the model’s competitiveness, particularly against Great Wall Motor’s Tank range, but it triggered dissatisfaction among some early purchasers. Reports described protests at Fangchengbao dealerships by customers who had bought or ordered the vehicle before the price reduction. This episode illustrates the commercial tension facing a young automotive brand: rapid pricing changes can improve market positioning while creating concerns about residual values and fairness among initial customers. Fangchengbao’s current identity is therefore built around technical and lifestyle differentiation rather than broad-volume family transportation. Its portfolio is associated with off-road SUVs, performance vehicles, electrified powertrains and highly visible styling. As a BYD sub-brand, it benefits from the parent group’s electric-vehicle and battery technology, while pursuing a more specialized customer proposition focused on exploration, sport and personalization.
History
Fangchengbao was created by BYD Auto during the company's expansion into more clearly differentiated automotive marques. BYD announced the brand on June 9, 2023, following the introduction of Yangwang earlier that year. The new marque was designed for vehicles with a more specialized character than BYD's mainstream passenger cars, particularly SUVs aimed at off-road users, performance enthusiasts and customers seeking distinctive personalization. Its name, commonly translated as “formula leopard,” combines a technical reference with an animal symbol associated with speed, strength and agility. The first model was the Bao 5, unveiled on August 16, 2023, at the Chengdu Auto Show. It was developed around Fangchengbao's DMO, or Dual Mode Off-road, platform and used a plug-in hybrid system. The model entered production in September and launched in China in November. Fangchengbao reported 10,000 orders during the first three days after launch, giving the young brand an early market signal in the growing Chinese off-road SUV segment. The brand then broadened its roadmap. The Super 8 prototype previewed the larger Bao 8 flagship SUV. At the Beijing Auto Show in April 2024, Fangchengbao displayed the Bao 8, the compact Super 3 concept and the Super 9 sports-car concept. The Super 3 was associated with the later Tai 3 electric SUV, while the Super 9 was subsequently linked in the reference material to development as a Denza Z vehicle. In June 2024, Fangchengbao introduced the Bao 3 as a smaller battery-electric SUV intended to make the range more accessible. The referenced product roadmap also includes Tai or Ti vehicles, Formula-branded cars and a pickup named Shark, although the timing and final commercial positioning of several announced vehicles require verification. Fangchengbao initially used directly operated retail stores. This approach allowed BYD to control presentation and customer experience for a new specialized brand, but it limited geographic reach compared with a large dealer network. In June 2024 the company began recruiting dealers across much of China. General manager Xiong Tianbo reported that the brand had sold 20,000 vehicles in China in its first six months, according to the cited reference. A notable commercial decision came in July 2024, when Fangchengbao reduced the Bao 5 price by CNY 50,000 in China. The move was intended to improve competitiveness against Great Wall Motor's Tank series. Some early owners and purchasers reacted negatively, organizing protests at dealerships and expressing concern that the sudden reduction damaged the value of their vehicles. The episode became an early test of Fangchengbao's pricing discipline and customer-relations approach. Fangchengbao remains a BYD-owned brand whose identity is tied to electrified performance, off-road capability and premium lifestyle positioning. Its vehicles extend BYD's technology into a segment where rugged design, high power and recreational use are central to purchase decisions.
- 2024
Expanded concept and product roadmap
[1]Fangchengbao presented the Bao 8, Super 3 and Super 9 at the Beijing Auto Show and announced a broader product strategy.
- 2024
Dealer expansion begins
[1]The brand began recruiting dealers after initially operating its own stores.
- 2024
Bao 5 price reduction
[1]Fangchengbao reduced the Bao 5's China price by CNY 50,000, prompting protests from some early customers.
- 2023
Brand announced
[1]BYD announced Fangchengbao on June 9 as a specialized brand for performance-oriented and personalized vehicles.
- 2023
Bao 5 unveiled
[1]The Bao 5 debuted at the Chengdu Auto Show on August 16 on Fangchengbao's DMO off-road plug-in hybrid platform.
- 2023
Bao 5 launched in China
[1]Production began in September and the Bao 5 reached the Chinese market in November.
Products and positioning
A specialized, premium-oriented BYD brand focused on professional, personalized, off-road and performance vehicles.
Mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV · 2023
Bao 5
Fangchengbao's first production vehicle, the Bao 5 is an off-road-oriented mid-size SUV using the DMO Dual Mode Off-road plug-in hybrid platform. It established the brand's initial visual and technical identity by combining electrified propulsion with a rugged, performance-focused format. The model was unveiled in 2023, entered production in September and launched in China in November.
Full-size plug-in hybrid SUV · 2024
Bao 8
The Bao 8 is Fangchengbao's larger flagship SUV. It was previewed by the Super 8 prototype and presented as the next major expansion of the Bao product family. The vehicle is intended to extend the brand's off-road and premium positioning into a larger format.
Battery-electric compact SUV · 2024
Bao 3
The Bao 3 was introduced as a smaller battery-electric SUV intended to broaden Fangchengbao's range and provide a more accessible entry point than its larger off-road vehicles. The referenced material identifies it as part of the brand's 2024 expansion, but detailed production and market information is limited.
Battery-electric compact SUV · 2025
Tai 3
The Tai 3 is associated with the production development of Fangchengbao's Super 3 compact electric SUV concept. The concept emphasized compact utility and distinctive lifestyle equipment, including a roof-rack-mounted drone hangar. Detailed final specifications and market availability require verification.
Mid-size extended-range or battery-electric SUV · 2025
Ti7
The Ti7 is listed in the referenced roadmap as a mid-size vehicle available in extended-range electric or battery-electric form. Its inclusion indicates an expansion beyond the original Bao off-road SUV line, although complete launch and specification information is not established by the supplied source.
Full-size extended-range SUV
Ti9
The Ti9 is identified in the referenced material as an upcoming full-size extended-range electric SUV. It represents a potential continuation of Fangchengbao's large-vehicle strategy, but its final name, specifications and release status should be checked against current company materials.
Mid-size sedan
Formula S
Formula S is listed as an upcoming mid-size sedan associated with Fangchengbao's Formula-branded expansion. The supplied reference does not provide confirmed production specifications, powertrain details or launch timing.
Mid-size sedan
Formula SL
Formula SL is listed in the brand's prospective sedan range. It is described as a mid-size sedan, but further information about its design, powertrain and commercial status is not available in the supplied material.
Mid-size shooting brake
Formula S GT
Formula S GT is identified as an upcoming mid-size shooting brake. The body style would extend Fangchengbao's performance and lifestyle positioning beyond SUVs, although the model remains subject to verification and may not have entered production.
Mid-size pickup truck
Fangchengbao Shark
The Shark is listed as an upcoming mid-size pickup truck. It would broaden the brand's utility and recreational portfolio, but the supplied source does not confirm its production timing, powertrain or final market name.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2024
Shift from company-operated stores toward dealer expansionStrategyBackground
Fangchengbao initially emphasized directly operated stores, but a broader retail footprint was needed to support expansion across China.
Action taken
In June 2024, the brand began recruiting dealers across Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.
Aftermath
The change was intended to increase geographic reach while the brand continued developing a specialized retail identity.
2024
Bao 5 price reductionPrice changeBackground
Fangchengbao sought to improve the Bao 5's competitiveness against Great Wall Motor's Tank series in China's off-road SUV market.
Action taken
The brand reduced the Bao 5 price in China by CNY 50,000 in July 2024.
Aftermath
Some early customers protested at dealerships, citing the effect of the sudden reduction on their purchase value and confidence.
Bao 5 price reduction. (July 2024; reduction amount reported as CNY 50,000)
- Great Wall Motor Tank — The Tank range was identified as a competitive benchmark; no specific public reaction is provided in the supplied material.
Recent events
Fang Cheng Bao unveils Formula S and Formula S GT interiors at 2026 Chengdu Auto Show[4]
Reported:
At the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show, BYD's Fang Cheng Bao officially unveiled the interior designs of the Formula S and Formula S GT. The new models are open for pre-order at 230,000 to 280,000 yuan, with official market launch and deliveries expected in early September.
Sources4 sources
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