I tried with much effort to import a BYD, and the federal government slowed me down every step of the way to where I gave up around regime change last November. If you have a way I can buy a BYD today, regardless of cost, in the US, I would be interested.
How far did you get, and what do you mean "regardless of cost"? The big issue is going to be getting the vehicle to pass FMVSS, and it looks like no one has successfully done it. Have you talked to an RI to see if they know why?
I’m going through the RI process now for a vehicle ( not EV, not Chinese, not BYD)
If a vehicle was never sold in the US and is not FMVSS compliant (with a sticker), then the RI has to prove every piece of consequence IS compliant. Airbags tested to DOT standards. Headlights. Taillights. Seatbelts. Wipers. Crash safety. Dash lights, warning lights, backup camera FOV. TPMS. The list is like 10,000 things long.
Probably it does meet 99% of them , and the non-compliant things are an easy fix (we’re changing speedo in mine to mph).
The trick is you have to document and prove every single item on the list, often with lab testing. It takes years, and often millions of dollars.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39992428