Pretty sure you can buy one it just will cost half a tesla with import duties, and you are on your own for maintenance, and the logistics on getting it here.
I think most people understand "You cannot buy X in Y" to mean it isn't available from stores in Y, not that it's physically impossible to get X into Y by any means.
I wonder how BYDs numbers would look like if they weren't effectively banned in the US just to protect Tesla. I guess the grand experiment of global markets and free trade died with a whimper.
I understand the right amount of money can buy any commercial item. But vehicles are licensed and insured—Can i register the vehicle? Will I have a pink slip? Can I insure the vehicle? Or Will driving it results in police impound?
Exactly, you will not be able to register it in the US and completely import it because as there is no market here, BYD has not gone through safety and compliance testing in the US. For such cars, legally importing it would require you to buy it as an antique over 25 years later, or for you to pay for your own crash testing among other things.
The "easiest" way to drive a BYD legally in the US would be to have foreign residency, register the car in that country, and temporarily visit the US with the car, still using the foreign license plate and registration. This is why the Texas Mexico border in the US sees a few BYD cars, from Mexican residents and dual citizens visiting or living part-time in the US.
