BYD apologises after fitting some Great Tang SUV wheels back to front

What went wrong on the assembly line

BYD has apologised after admitting that some examples of its new Great Tang electric SUV left the factory with wheels fitted in the wrong positions. According to Bloomberg, several owners noticed that the wider rims meant for the rear axle had been mounted at the front, while the narrower front rims ended up at the back.

The Chinese automaker published its apology on Weibo, a Chinese social network. It said it began investigating once complaints came in from owners, and traced the mistake to a wheel assembly supplier based in Hubei province.

How BYD is responding

BYD says the problem has already been corrected, and the supplier has added a visual inspection step on the production line to stop it happening again. The company did not say how many vehicles are affected.

Despite the mix-up, BYD maintains there is no safety risk from wheels being fitted this way. Even so, it will replace the rims on affected cars at no cost. Owners will also be offered a replacement vehicle, or compensation for transport costs while their SUV is in the workshop.

In addition, BYD will restart the warranty period for the affected vehicles, so owners do not lose coverage time while the repair is carried out.

Why the Great Tang matters to BYD

The Great Tang, known in China as the Datang, was unveiled in March with prices starting at around $40,000. BYD says it has received 150,000 orders in its home market.

The SUV is a flagship model for the company, which makes the error more embarrassing. BYD plans to sell the vehicle in European and Asian markets beyond China, with launches expected either late this year or in early 2027.

What owners should know

Buyers of the Great Tang in China can expect BYD to contact them about free rim replacements under the plan the company has announced. The offer of a courtesy car or transport compensation, plus a reset warranty, applies to vehicles affected by the assembly error.

BYD has not published a list of affected vehicle identification numbers, so owners with concerns should follow the company's official statements on Weibo for updates.