BYD seeks to shift mass market image with souped-up racetrack

THE NAME BYD Co. is mainly associated with mass market electric vehicles (EV). A manufacturing behemoth that churns out more electric cars than anyone else on the planet, it’s a brand built on volume and affordability.

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BYD cars have become a common sight on China's roads and a favorite among city taxi and ride-hailing drivers. It’s given rise to a popular joke — while BYD officially stands for “Build Your Dreams,” many quip it’s short for “Be Your Driver.”

Now, BYD is trying to rewrite that narrative, launching luxury models priced over $200,000. Its latest effort to shed its utilitarian skin has involved building an entire automotive racing and testing playground to bring potential customers from the street to the track.