NBA Icon Yao Ming's Almost Non-Existent Car Collection

Yao Ming, the towering NBA legend from China, is known for his dominance on the basketball court. However, the nature of Yao’s car collection is similar to that of his fellow NBA Hall of Famer, Hakeem Olajuwon’s garage. Standing at 7’6”, his choice of vehicles isn’t just about speed and style—it’s also about comfort and space.

From sleek sports cars to high-end luxury sedans, Yao’s collection reflects his larger-than-life personality and refined taste. Whether cruising in elegance or commanding attention with exotic rides, his garage showcases an impressive yet under-the-radar lineup.

2. Customized BMW 7-Series

The BMW 7-Series is an integral part of Yao Ming’s car collection. Why, you may ask? The reason is simple: it’s much more than what meets the eye. In fact, Ming fell in love with the BMW for its dynamic performance and comfortable tan interior. However, there was one major obstacle before he could officially drive one himself. His towering height made entering and exiting the car difficult. To solve this, the vehicle underwent extensive customization to create more space inside the cabin.

NBA stars opting for customization is nothing new, and even Dennis Rodman's cars were heavily modified as per his taste. The project was handled by Unique Autosport, which lowered the floor, completely rewired the car, and even extended the steering column. After extensive modifications and a total cost of $30,000, the car was finally drivable for Ming. His BMW 7-Series belonged to the E65 generation.

1. Toyota Vellfire

Well, who doesn't like to be chauffeured in utmost luxury without having to drive his own car? Yao Ming too prefers the same and was spotted traveling in a white MPV, which happens to be the Toyota Vellfire. However, after spotting him getting in, the internet was divided.

He seemed to have a bit of difficulty getting inside the white MPV, and his fans reacted to his poor choice of car. On the other hand, his former teammate Yi Jianlian chose a more sensible option in the form of the Haobo HT EV with gull-wing doors and hence provided better ingress.

Special Mentions:

• Lincoln Navigator

NBA athletes traveling in different cars at different events is no surprise. So, it does not mean that every car they get spotted getting into is their car. Yao Ming was also spotted getting inside a black Navigator with much difficulty and few attempts at the passenger seat. However the same cannot be clarified whether the car belonged to him or not. Tennis icon Serena Williams' car collection also boasts a Lincoln Navigator.

Yao Ming’s Affinity For Cars

Yao Ming is renowned for his basketball skills. However, his lesser-known curiosity and passion seem to be for cars. He was spotted at the BMW booth at the 14th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, known as Auto Shanghai 2011, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai.

He was also seen at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, on Sunday, May 25, 2008, where NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Petty was seen explaining to Yao Ming about the characteristics of the car as he got an opportunity as a pit-crew member for the Coca-Cola team.