Visitors take pictures of the Yangwang U8 off-roader on April 10, 2023, which will be the first model to feature BYD's smart Yunnian-P vehicle control system. [Photo by Li Fusheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

China's largest NEV maker BYD unveiled a smart vehicle control system on Monday, which Chairman Wang Chuanfu said is the first of its kind among local Chinese marques and outperform global rivals.

The system, called Yunnian, literally means "vehicles that ride on clouds for immortals". It is the result of five years of research and development efforts and investment up to billions of yuan, said the Warren Buffet-backed carmaker.

Lian Yubo, executive vice-president of BYD, said the system can greatly improve the vehicles' stability and thus enhance comfort for drivers and passengers while they brake at high speeds, go over the bends or across bumpy roads.

A video of BYD shows that a sedan featuring the system does not lose its stability even when it has only three tires left.

Lian said the Yunnian-P will be first used in its luxury Yangwang U8 off-roader and the first model to feature the Yunnian-A will be the Denza N7 crossover.

As for the Yunnian-C, its hardware is ready in three models and the functions will be activated when updates are made over the air.

The Yunnian system is one of the latest cutting-edge technologies by BYD, following the blade-shaped battery, the cell-to-pack solution as well as the e4 platform that features four-independent-motor drive.

Analysts said such technologies will help BYD further consolidate its leading position in the burgeoning NEV market.

Last year, BYD sold 1.86 million vehicles, toppling FAW-Volkswagen as the best-selling passenger carmaker in China.

In the same year, the carmaker spent 20.2 billion yuan ($2.94 billion) in research and development, up 90.3 percent year-on-year.

BYD expects its sales to rise at least to 3 million units or even double its 2022 figure to 3.6 million units this year.