 Logo since 2024 | |
| Company type |
|
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (2010–2021) |
| Founded | May 2010; 15 years ago (May 2010) |
| Headquarters | , China |
Area served | |
Key people | Lian Yubo (CEO) |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output |  126,036 vehicles (2024) |
| Parent | BYD Auto Industry |
| Chinese name | |
| Simplified Chinese | 深圳腾势新能源汽车有限公司 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shēnzhèn Téngshì Xīn Néngyuán Qìchē Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī |
| Website | denza.com tengshiauto.com (China) |
| Footnotes / references [1] | |
Shenzhen Denza New Energy Co., Ltd.,trading asDenza (Chinese:腾势;pinyin:Téngshì), is anautomobile manufacturingcompany andluxuryplug-in electric vehiclebrand owned byBYD Auto.
Denza was founded in May 2010 as ajoint venture between BYD andDaimler AG (currentlyMercedes-Benz Group). In late 2014, its first model, theDenza EV was put on sale in selected Chinese cities only.[2] In late 2021, Denza underwent arestructuring as Mercedes-Benz reduced its share to 10%, while BYD held the rest. BYD started investing in new models, such as theD9 MPV, theN7 andN9 SUVs and theZ9 full-size car.[3] In September 2024, Mercedes-Benz withdrew entirely by transferring its remaining 10% stake to BYD.[4][5]
Denza began to export its vehicles in 2024, starting with Southeast Asia.[6] In 2025, the brand entered Europe and Middle East.[7][8] Export vehicles from BYD's two other luxurysubsidiaries,Yangwang andFangchengbao, are also sold under the Denza brand.
An invented name from the ChineseTengshi (simplified Chinese:腾势;traditional Chinese:騰勢;pinyin:Téngshì), Denza roughly translates to "rising power andmomentum".[9] Alternative translations include "win power" or "winning circumstances".[10]
On 1 March 2010, BYD Auto and Daimler AG signed amemorandum of understanding for the joint development of electric vehicles.[11] 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[12][13] and received a business license from the Chinese government in March 2011.[14]
The brand name Denza was introduced in March 2012. During its introduction, BYD chairman and founderWang 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.[15]
Denza showcased its first concept car in April 2012 at theAuto China motor show inBeijing.[16] It was expected that this product would be offered as an electric luxury car.[17]
By September 2014, BYD and Daimler had jointly invested more than €300 million into the joint venture.[15] The brand's initial product was set to be launched inBeijing,Shanghai, and Shenzhen in September 2014,[18] the launch date was then pushed back to late 2014.[19] Its first model, the Denza EV debuted in December 2014.[2]
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.[2][18] As of 2014, buyers were exempted from Beijing's license plate lottery and qualified for free plates inShanghai andShenzhen.[18]
In 2018, the Denza EV underwent extensive body restyling, changing its name toDenza 500.[20] In November 2019, Denza presented its second model based on thesecond-generation BYD Tang. The vehicle was designed with significant participation ofMercedes-Benz designers, which handled exterior and interior design.[21][22] Sales of theDenza X started at the end of 2020 exclusively on theChinese market.[23]
In February 2021, the German business dailyHandelsblatt 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.[24] Changes in the joint venture structure was announced in December 2021. The unpopularDenza X SUV was discontinued, and the alliance changed its name toShenzhen 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%.[25]
The first model since the restructuring, theDenza D9 minivan was introduced in August 2022. The D9 is available inplug-in hybrid andbattery electric variant.[26] 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.[27] In March 2023, Denza introduced its second new model after restructuring, theDenza N7 battery electric SUV.[28][29] In the same month, the range was expanded with a larger SUVDenza N8, which is based on theDenza X.[30] Denza plans to release product lines starting with the D, E, N, Z, and A letters.[31]
In June 2024, Denza started sales of the right-hand drive D9 EV inHong Kong.[6] It opened its first flagship store inKowloon Bay, which is the first presence of the brand outsidemainland China.[32]
In September 2024, Mercedes-Benz transferred its remaining 10% shareholding in Denza to BYD, making Denza a fully owned subsidiary of BYD.[5]
In April 2025, Denza announced its entry in Europe with a brand launch event in Milan, Italy. Its first model will be theDenza Z9 GT.[7]
In August 2025, Denza introduced two off-road SUVs, the Denza B5 and Denza B8, initially for Middle East markets. The models are rebranded from the Chinese marketFangchengbao Bao 5 andFangchengbao Bao 8.[8]
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| Year | Sales[37] |
|---|---|
| 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 | 126,036[38] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)'Denza who', you might ask? Sitting under the BYD umbrella, Denza originally started out as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes, but it's all Chinese now. Its name translates to 'win power'
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