Fang Cheng Bao started the pre-sale of its first model, the Bao 5, in August, with a pre-sale price range of RMB 300,000 - RMB 400,000.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

's personalized sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao has opened its first batch of stores, with pre-sales of its first model started in August, while official sales have yet to begin.

Fang Cheng Bao's first 70 directly-managed stores have begun trial operations, with another 10 opening soon, the brand announced today.

These stores cover 44 cities in 23 regions of China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hefei, Wuhan and Nanjing, it said.

A total of more than 150 Fang Cheng Bao stores in more than 80 cities in China will gradually begin operations, and Bao 5, or Leopard 5, will be available at these stores, the brand said.

BYD debuted the Fang Cheng Bao brand on June 9, the fifth in its brand matrix after the BYD-branded Dynasty and Ocean series, as well as the Denza and Yangwang brands.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

The sub-brand will meet growing consumer demand for personalization by offering a range of unique, professional-grade new energy vehicle (NEV) models, BYD said at the time.

On August 16, BYD officially launched the Fang Cheng Bao brand, as well as the brand's exclusive DMO (dual mode off-road) technology platform to target the off-road market.

At the brand launch in August, BYD introduced the Fang Cheng Bao's first model, the Bao 5, and unexpectedly announced two other models -- the Bao 8 concept and the Bao 3.

BYD announced the channel plan for Fang Cheng Bao at that time, with the first stores adopting a direct management model to ensure consistency in service and experience quality.

Fang Cheng Bao was building more than 100 channel touchpoints in 60 Chinese cities, including sales and service centers, mini sales and service centers, and retail centers, BYD said on August 16.

Fang Cheng Bao's flagship sales and service centers will not only feature car sales and delivery, but will also offer official tuning services, BYD said at the time.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Fang Cheng Bao announced on August 25, the first day of the Chengdu auto show, that the Bao 5 was available for pre-order, with a pre-sale price range of RMB 300,000 ($41,000) - RMB 400,000 yuan.

This price range is significantly lower than the RMB 400,000 to RMB 600,000 range that many had previously expected.

On September 27, Fang Cheng Bao saw the first production vehicle of the Bao 5 roll off the production line.

The Bao 5 is a hardcore SUV powered by a 1.5L engine with a displacement of 143 kW and 273 Nm of torque.

It is also equipped with dual motors, with the front motor producing 200 kW of maximum power and 360 Nm of maximum torque, and the rear motor producing 285 kW of maximum power and 400 Nm of maximum torque.

The powertrain has a total power of 505 kW and a total torque of 760 Nm, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.

The Bao 5 is equipped with BYD's lithium iron phosphate chemistry-based blade battery with a pack capacity of 31.8 kWh and a CLTC battery range of 125 km. It has a combined range of 1,200 km on a full tank of gas and a full charge.

($1 = RMB 7.3169)

BYD Fang Cheng Bao sees 1st production car of Bao 5 roll off line