Chinese cars in the UAE this week: Yangwang plans a flagship sedan reveal, and Dongfeng prices the 008

BYD's Yangwang is targeting Dubai for a new flagship sedan, Dubai Police added the U8 to its tourist patrol, and Dongfeng launched the 008 at AED 139,900.

The UAE is where several Chinese brands are choosing to show their most expensive products first, and this week's news fits that pattern.

Yangwang's UAE-first strategy

Yangwang sales chief Hu Xiaoqing said on October 21 that the brand would present an executive sedan, internally called HU, in the UAE, without giving a date or venue (announcement, flagship plans). CarNewsChina's sources point to a Dubai unveiling around November 5, with pre-production cars seen on transporters in China (report, spy photos). Spy images show rear-hinged doors, a tall grille and roof-mounted LiDAR, and media estimates put its length near 5,500 mm, which BYD has not verified. BYD has disclosed no powertrain or price details; the reports note only speculation of a price above 2 million yuan. Dubai Police separately added the Yangwang U8 to its luxury tourist patrol fleet, showing it at WETEX 2026. The U8 has four electric motors and a petrol range extender, with a combined 1,197 hp and a 3.6-second 0–100 km/h time; its emergency flotation feature is designed to keep it afloat for up to 30 minutes at speeds up to 3 km/h and is not meant for routine water use.

Mainstream launches and what's next

Dongfeng's UAE distributor Mahy Khoory introduced the Dongfeng 008, a six-seat range-extended SUV, at AED 139,900, with a claimed 200 km electric range and 1,220 km total. A 272 hp rear motor is fed by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol generator and a 34.32 kWh battery that can charge from 30% to 80% in 15 minutes. It follows the opening of Dongfeng's main Dubai showroom at Waha Mall. Freelander's five-seat Freelander 8 joins the six-seater, with UAE sales expected to start in the first quarter of 2027 and distribution partnerships signed in Bahrain and Oman; the UAE is first in its international rollout.

What it means

The UAE is being used as a showcase market for halo products, but no HU price or specification has been given.
Dongfeng's AED 139,900 puts a six-seat range-extender in a family-SUV price band.
The Freelander 8 shows the UAE leading a wider Gulf rollout.