Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive

Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. is a luxury electric vehicle brand now fully owned by BYD Auto. It was originally established in May 2010 as a 50-50 joint venture between Chinese automaker BYD and German manufacturer Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group). The collaboration aimed to combine Daimler's expertise in vehicle architecture and safety engineering with BYD's advanced battery technology to produce premium new energy vehicles (NEVs) for the Chinese market.

The brand's early years were met with limited commercial success. Its first model, the Denza EV, launched in late 2014, was followed by updates and the Denza X SUV, which was based on the BYD Tang. In December 2021, the partnership was restructured, with BYD increasing its stake to 90% and Mercedes-Benz reducing its share to 10%, effectively making Mercedes a non-participating shareholder. This pivotal shift led to a revitalization of the brand under BYD's majority control. By September 2024, Mercedes-Benz transferred its remaining 10% stake, making Denza a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD.

Under BYD's stewardship, Denza launched a new product lineup, beginning with the D9 MPV in 2022, which proved to be a commercial success. This was followed by the N7 and N8 SUVs, and the Z9 sedan series. The business operates by selling high-end NEVs, including both battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, to consumers in the premium market segment. Denza leverages BYD's proprietary technologies, such as the e-Platform 3.0, Blade Battery, and DiSus Intelligent Body Control System. The company began its international expansion in 2024, entering markets in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, with plans for Europe and the Middle East in 2025.

Keywords: luxury electric vehicles, new energy vehicles, automotive manufacturing, BEV, PHEV, Blade Battery, e-Platform 3.0, DiSus Body Control, Denza D9, Denza N7, Denza Z9, premium automotive, Sino-German joint venture, BYD subsidiary, electric mobility, EV technology, smart cockpit, MPV, SUV, luxury sedan