Mercedes-Benz has withdrawn from its Denza joint venture with BYD in China after selling off its remaining 10% equity. This comes a few years after BYD increased its stake in the JV to 90% in 2022, meaning the Chinese automaker now fully owns the Denza brand.
Denza was founded in February 2011 as an equal JV between BYD and Daimler that focused on new energy vehicles (NEVs). In January 2022, BYD announced an equity transfer agreement with Daimler that brought its stake in the JV to 90% (this was concluded in mid-2022), which was later followed by Daimler being renamed to Mercedes-Benz in February the same year.
Initial vehicles from Denza include the X as well as the EV/400/500 that sold poorly and led to their discontinuation. The brand would be relaunched following BYD’s acquisition of an increased stake and a restructuring of the business.
What followed was the D9 MPV, and the brand’s current line-up now includes the N7, N8, Z9 and soon, the Z9 GT. Last year, BYD announced that 127,840 Denza vehicles were delivered to customers, with the D9 being popular among buyers.
As of the January to the August period this year, Denza sold 79,894 units, with the D9 contributing 71,342 units or 89%, according to CnEVPost. Since March 2023, monthly sales of the D9 have hovered around 10,000 units as the brand expands into right-hand drive markets, with Malaysia set to join the list.
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