Denza’s Germany launch takes shape

In April, BYD announced that it wanted to bring its premium brand to Europe – but stayed vague on a specific market launch. Now Denza has confirmed it will start accepting orders for its first two models in Germany in Q4. The Denza Z9 GT, an elegant shooting brake, will be offered – as in China – with a purely electric drivetrain as well as a “long-range Super-DM plug-in hybrid configuration.” BYD calls its plug-in hybrids DM-i (Dual Motor intelligent), with Denza adding the ‘Super’ prefix.

Most details about the Z9 GT are already known since it went on sale in China in September 2024. The BEV version’s three motors deliver a combined 710 kW, nearly 1,000 hp. The sprint from 0 to 100 kph takes 3.4 seconds. The battery capacity is 100 kWh. The range according to China’s CLTC is 630 kilometres. The European WLTP figure, which is always lower, is still to come.

The plug-in hybrid combines a 200 kW petrol engine with two electric motors on the rear axle (each rated at 220 kW). The battery is 38.5 kWh and provides a pure electric CLTC range of 201 kilometres. The total range according to CLTC is 1,101 kilometres.

The second model for Germany is expected to be the D9. Denza introduced the seven-seat premium van in China as early as 2022, available as both EV and hybrid. BYD’s latest announcement refers to ‘a class-leading electrified van.’ It remains unclear whether both powertrains or only one will be offered in Germany – the wording ‘electrified van’ keeps both options open. A ‘full-size premium off-roader of special technological class’ is slated to follow in early 2026, with only a plug-in hybrid announced so far.

The concrete announcement of Denza’s German launch is embedded in a personnel press release: BYD Germany just revealed that Klaus Hartmann has been Regional Sales Director Denza Europe since 1 March 2025 and is also part of the brand’s European leadership team. In this role, Hartmann will be responsible for establishing and expanding the brand, including in the German and Austrian markets.

Hartmann spent many years at Daimler, including roles in product management and G-Class sales in China. In 2020, he became Managing Director Automotive Europe at Ineos, overseeing the premium off-roader Grenadier. At BYD, he is expected to leverage his experience building international premium brands.

“With Klaus Hartmann, we have a strong, energetic, and determined leader who has already successfully established a new brand in Europe and knows what needs to be done. With his strategic mindset and alongside the international Denza leadership team, he will establish a new premium brand in Europe,” said Maria Grazia Davino, SVP Regional Managing Director at BYD Europe.

Denza was founded in 2011 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler to bring electric cars to the mass market. However, success was limited and the German automaker steadily reduced its stake. Under BYD’s leadership, Denza has been repositioned as a premium brand. Since last year, Denza has been wholly owned by BYD after Mercedes-Benz Group sold its remaining 10 per cent stake in July 2024. At the time, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed to electrive that current Denza models no longer contain Mercedes-Benz technology.

myconvento.com (in German)