Denza
{{short description|Chinese automobile manufacturing company}}
{{Other uses|Denza (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Shenzhen Denza New Energy Co., Ltd.
| logo = Denza logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = Logo since 2024
| type = {{ubl
| Joint venture (2010–2024)
| Subsidiary (2024–present)
}}
| traded_as =
| fate =
| predecessor = Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (2010–2021)
| successor =
| foundation = {{start date and age|May 2010}}
| founder =
| defunct =
| location_city = Shenzhen, Guangdong
| location_country = China
| location =
| locations =
| area_served = {{ubl
| Europe
}}
| key_people = Lian Yubo (CEO)
| industry = Automotive
| products = Automobiles
| production = {{decrease}} 126,036 vehicles (2024)
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = BYD Auto Industry
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.denza.com/|denza.com}}
{{URL|https://www.tengshiauto.com/|tengshiauto.com}} (China)
| module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes|s=深圳腾势新能源汽车有限公司|p=Shēnzhèn Téngshì Xīn Néngyuán Qìchē Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī |order=st|hide=no}}
| intl =
}}
Shenzhen Denza New Energy Co., Ltd., trading as Denza ({{Lang-zh|c=腾势|p=Téngshì}}), is an automobile manufacturing company and brand owned by BYD Auto. The brand produces premium plug-in electric vehicles.
The company was founded in May 2010 as a joint venture between BYD Auto Industry and Daimler AG (currently Mercedes-Benz Group). In late 2014, its first model, the Denza EV was put on sale in selected Chinese cities only.{{cite web | url=http://www.just-auto.com/news/byd-daimler-launches-new-denza-ev_id153408.aspx | title=CHINA: BYD-Daimler launches new Denza EV | publisher=Aroq Ltd | work=just-auto.com | date=8 December 2014 | access-date=4 January 2015 | author=Pugliese, Tony | archive-date=4 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104040018/http://www.just-auto.com/news/byd-daimler-launches-new-denza-ev_id153408.aspx | url-status=dead }} In late 2021, Denza underwent a restructuring as Mercedes-Benz reduced its share to 10%, while BYD held the rest. BYD started investing in new models, such as the D9 MPV, the N7 and N9 SUVs and the Z9 full-size car.{{Cite web|last=Germany|first=Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgart|title=Daimler: Stuttgarter Autobauer reduziert Denza-Anteil|url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.daimler-stuttgarter-autobauer-reduziert-denza-anteil.c692e9eb-ce85-4732-8d70-e1cad08c2a1b.html|access-date=2021-12-24|website=stuttgarter-zeitung.de|language=de}} In September 2024, Mercedes-Benz withdrew entirely from the joint venture by transferring its remaining 10% stake to BYD.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-07 |title=品牌故事 - 腾势官网|url=https://www.tengshiauto.com/brand.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Denza website}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=【图】腾势汽车正式告别合资公司，奔驰低调退出_汽车之家 |trans-title=BYD Denza officially bids farewell to the joint venture, and Mercedes-Benz quietly withdraws |url=https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/202409/1300536.html#pvareaid=102624 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Autohome}}
Name
An invented name from the Chinese Tengshi ({{zh|s=腾势|t=騰勢|p=Téngshì}}), Denza roughly translates to "rising power and momentum".{{Cite web|url=http://www.denza.com/index.php?a=index&m=Page&id=22&l=en|title=Brand|access-date=18 May 2012|publisher=Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. | work=denza.com}} Alternative translations include "win power" or "winning circumstances".{{fact|date=December 2024}}
History
= Early period (2010–2021) =
File:Denza NEV 2013.JPG 2013]]
On 1 March 2010, BYD Auto and Daimler AG signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint development of electric vehicles.{{Cite news|publisher=Thomson Reters|work=reuters.com|title=UPDATE 2-Daimler and BYD sign agreement on electric cars|access-date=23 Sep 2013|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/daimler-idUSLDE6202C220100301|date=1 March 2010}} The initial link-up led to the creation of a new, equal-ownership legal entity, Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. The company was formally established on 27 May 2010{{Cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Daimler and BYD Put Electric Car Venture in Gear|access-date=20 May 2012|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/daimler-and-byd-put-electric-car-venture-in-gear/|date=28 May 2010}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.denza.com/index.php?a=index&m=Page&id=21&l=en|title=Company|access-date=20 May 2012|publisher=Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. | work=denza.com}} and received a business license from the Chinese government in March 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.byd.com/buzz/company-news/joint-venture-between-byd-and-daimler-receives-business-license/ |title=Joint Venture between BYD and Daimler Receives Business License |publisher=BYD Auto |date=2011-03-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708110005/http://www.byd.com/buzz/company-news/joint-venture-between-byd-and-daimler-receives-business-license/ |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}
The brand name Denza was introduced in March 2012. During its introduction, BYD chairman and founder Wang Chuanfu highlighted that BYD contributes its expertise in battery technology, electric drive systems, and practical experience in deploying electric vehicles on Chinese roads, while Daimler complements this with its experience in designing premium automobiles, know-how of electric vehicle architecture and safety, and a legacy of over 125 years in the industry.{{Cite web |last=Costello |first=Mike |date=2023-04-08 |title=Everything you need to know about Denza, a BYD and Mercedes-Benz experiment |url=https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-denza-a-byd-and-mercedes-benz-experiment |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=CarExpert |language=en}}
Denza showcased its first concept car in April 2012 at the Auto China motor show in Beijing.For brand name debut, see {{Cite news|publisher=China Daily|title=Daimler and BYD launch new electric car brand|access-date=18 May 2012|url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-03/31/content_14957646.htm|date=31 March 2012}}
- For concept car showing, see {{Cite news|publisher=The Malaysian Insider|title=Denza debuts first model in Beijing|access-date=18 May 2012|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/drive/article/denza-debuts-first-model-in-beijing|date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424224445/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/drive/article/denza-debuts-first-model-in-beijing/|archive-date=24 April 2012|url-status=dead}} It was expected that this product would be offered as an electric luxury car.{{cite web | url=http://www.scmp.com/magazines/money/article/1309079/hybrid-hothouse | title=Hybrid Hothouse | publisher=South China Morning Post | work=Money Magazine | date=23 Sep 2013 | access-date=29 September 2013 | author=Lau, Shirley}}
By September 2014, BYD and Daimler had jointly invested more than €300 million into the joint venture. The brand's initial product was set to be launched in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen in September 2014,{{cite web |date=21 April 2014 |title=Daimler-BYD Joint Venture's New All-Electric Vehicle DENZA unveiled at Auto China |url=http://media.daimler.com/deeplink?cci=2464278 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425143108/http://media.daimler.com/deeplink?cci=2464278 |archive-date=25 April 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016 |work=Daimler Global Media Site |publisher=Daimler AG}} the launch date was then pushed back to late 2014.{{cite web |date=Jul 6, 2014 |title=Daimler expects sales to surpass Audi, BMW in China this year |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-daimler-china-idUSKBN0FB0PZ20140706 |access-date=25 July 2014 |work=reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters}} Its first model, the Denza EV debuted in December 2014.
When Denza launched its first car, sales of new energy vehicles depend on subsidies provided by the Chinese government. Purchasers of the car were qualified for a RMB 78,000 subsidy and while the total subsidy on offer depends on location of purchase, no more than RMB 120,000 can be deducted. As of 2014, buyers were exempted from Beijing's license plate lottery and qualified for free plates in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
In 2018, the Denza EV underwent extensive body restyling, changing its name to Denza 500.{{cite web |title=Denza 500 - elektryczny brzydal od Daimlera |url=https://www.auto-motor-i-sport.pl/wydarzenia/Denza-500-elektryczny-brzydal-od-Daimlera,33136,1 |access-date=2020-06-24 |language=pl |archive-date=2020-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625073320/https://www.auto-motor-i-sport.pl/wydarzenia/Denza-500-elektryczny-brzydal-od-Daimlera,33136,1 |url-status=dead }} In November 2019, Denza presented its second model based on the second-generation BYD Tang. The vehicle was designed with significant participation of Mercedes-Benz designers, which handled exterior and interior design.{{cite web |title=Mercedes-Benz-styled Denza X to hit market at Auto Guangzhou |url=http://autonews.gasgoo.com/china_news/70016535.html |access-date=2020-06-24 |language=en}}{{cite web|access-date=2020-06-24|language=en|title=China's Denza X Electric SUV Is A Mercedes-Benz In All But Name|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2019/11/mercedes-styled-denza-x-production-crossover-unveiled-in-ev-and-phev-guise/}} Sales of the Denza X started at the end of 2020 exclusively on the Chinese market.{{cite web|access-date=2020-06-24|language=pl|title=Oto "chiński Mercedes". Nazywa się Denza X, ma 400 KM i po części trafi do Europy|date=30 April 2019 |url=https://autogaleria.pl/denza-x-byd-tang-ev-600}}
= Restructuring (2021–present) =
In February 2021, the German business daily Handelsblatt reported that the relations between Denza's co-owners were in crisis, as its sales did not meet the expectations of Daimler, which allegedly expressed a desire to end the venture. However, this information was denied.{{Cite web |title=Is the Daimler-BYD JV Denza about to fall in China? {{!}} electrive.com |url=https://www.electrive.com/2021/02/01/daimlers-denza-x-struggles-in-china/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.electrive.com}} Changes in the joint venture structure was announced in December 2021. The unpopular Denza X SUV was discontinued, and the alliance changed its name to Shenzhen Denza New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd. In turn, Mercedes-Benz Group reduced its shares from 50% to 10% in favor of BYD's higher stake of 90%.{{Cite web |title=Mercedes-Benz Media |url=https://media.mercedes-benz.com/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Mercedes-Benz Media |language=en}}
The first model since the restructuring, the Denza D9 minivan was introduced in August 2022. The D9 is available in plug-in hybrid and battery electric variant.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2022-08-24 |title=BYD's Denza brand officially launches D9 MPV in China |url=https://cnevpost.com/2022/08/24/byds-denza-brand-officially-launches-d9-mpv-in-china/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}} At the same time, the company announced the expansion of its dealer network in China with a plan to open 270 new points by the end of 2022 throughout the country.{{Cite web |title=BYD to Open 270 Denza Brand Stores in China by Year's End |url=https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/byd-to-open-270-ev-brand-denza-stores-by-year-end |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=www.yicaiglobal.com |language=en}} In March 2023, Denza introduced its second new model after restructuring, the Denza N7 battery electric SUV.{{cite web |title=Denza Inception Unveiled On The Chengdu Auto Show In China |date=27 August 2022 |url=https://carnewschina.com/2022/08/27/denza-inception-unveiled-on-the-chengdu-auto-show-in-china/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=Chińczycy skopiowali niemieckie auto. Każdy pozna, co udaje |trans-title=The Chinese copied the German car. Everyone will know what he is pretending to be |url=https://e.autokult.pl/denza-n7-chinczycy-znow-sie-zapatrzyli,6874181603502816a |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Autokult |language=pl}} In the same month, the range was expanded with a larger SUV Denza N8, which is based on the Denza X.{{cite web|access-date=2023-03-29|language=en|title=Denza N8 is an expensive BYD Tang sibling. To launch this year|date=29 March 2023 |url=https://carnewschina.com/2023/03/29/denza-n8-is-an-expensive-byd-tang-sibling-to-launch-this-year/}} Denza plans to release product lines starting with the D, E, N, Z, and A letters.{{cite web |date=16 May 2022 |title=BYD-Mercedes Backed Denza D9 Electric MPV Officially Launched in China |url=https://carnewschina.com/2022/05/16/byd-mercedes-backed-denza-d9-mpv-officially-launched-in-china/ |accessdate=2022-12-02 |language=en}}
In June 2024, Denza started sales of the right-hand drive D9 EV in Hong Kong.{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Lei |date=2024-06-25 |title=BYD Denza opens its 1st HK flagship store |url=https://cnevpost.com/2024/06/25/byd-denza-opens-1st-hk-store/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}} It opened its first flagship store in Kowloon Bay, which is the first presence of the brand outside mainland China.{{Cite web |title=DENZA inaugurates first flagship store in Hong Kong, China |url=https://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70033752.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=autonews.gasgoo.com}}
In September 2024, Mercedes-Benz transferred its remaining 10% shareholding in Denza to BYD, making Denza a fully owned subsidiary of BYD.
Products
=Current models=
- Denza D9 (2022–present), full-size MPV, BEV/PHEV
- Denza N7 (2023–present), mid-size SUV, BEV
- Denza N8L (upcoming), full-size SUV, PHEV
- Denza N9 (2025–present), full-size SUV, BEV/PHEV
- Denza Z9 (2024–present), full-size car, BEV/PHEV
- Denza Z9 GT (2024–present), full-size fastback car, BEV/PHEV
File:Denza D9 For Guangzhou International Auto Show 2022 (cropped).jpg|Denza D9
File:Denza N7 facelift 004 (cropped).jpg|Denza N7
File:Denza N9 005.jpg|Denza N9
File:Denza Z9 001.jpg|Denza Z9
File:Denza Z9 GT 001 (cropped).jpg|Denza Z9 GT
== Export models ==
- Denza B5 (2025, export only), rebadged Fangchengbao Bao 5, mid-size SUV, PHEV
- Denza B8 (2025, export only), rebadged Fangchengbao Bao 8, full-size SUV, PHEV
= Discontinued models =
- Denza EV/400/500 (2014–2019), compact SUV, BEV
- Denza X (2019–2021), mid-size SUV, BEV/PHEV
- Denza N8 (2023–2024), mid-size SUV, PHEV
File:2014 Denza EV (front).jpg|Denza EV
File:Denza 500 02 China 2019-03-28.jpg|Denza 500
File:20210627 A Denza X in Zhengzhou.jpg|Denza X
File:Denza N8 003.jpg|Denza N8
=Concept vehicles=
- Denza EV Concept (2012)
- Denza Inception (2022)
- Denza Z (2025)
File:Denza NEV 2013.JPG|Denza EV Concept
File:Denza Z 003.jpg|Denza Z
{{clear}}
Sales
| class="wikitable"
!Year |
| 2015
|2,800 |
| 2016
|2,287 |
| 2017
|4,713 |
| 2018
|1,974 |
| 2019
|2,089 |
| 2020
|4,175 |
| 2021
|4,708 |
| 2022
|9,803 |
| 2023
|127,840 |
| 2024 |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{BYD Auto}}
{{Daimler AG}}
{{Automotive industry in the People's Republic of China}}
Category:Car manufacturers of China
Category:Electric vehicle manufacturers of China
Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2010
Category:Chinese companies established in 2010
Category:Manufacturing companies based in Shenzhen
Category:Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers
Category:Mercedes-Benz Group joint ventures