Daimler – DENZA Rolls Production Lines in China

[GBOY]

• Daimler’s joint venture with Chinese partner BYD is the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to electric vehicles in China.
• Hubertus Troska: “DENZA is by far the most serious local electric vehicle effort in China, and a key pillar of our electric vehicle strategy in the country.”
• DENZA is manufactured at a modern production line that follows Daimler’s proven production management system.
• Arno Roehringer: “Throughout the entire production process we focus on quality to assure that our customers are getting the best Chinese electric vehicle.”
• DENZA will hit the market at the end of September, starting at RMB 369,000 (about EUR 45,700) and entitled to subsidies totaling in almost RMB 120,000 (about EUR 14,900).

DENZA, Daimler’s ‘made in China, for China’ electric vehicle, has started rolling off production line at Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (BDNT), in Shenzhen. This milestone is the culmination of cooperative efforts at Daimler’s technology joint venture with its Chinese partner BYD. The company is the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to an all-electric vehicle in and for China, and targets raising the bar in the domestic electric vehicle market by combining Daimler’s renowned engineering expertise as global forerunner in safety and quality with BYD’s leading battery technology.

“DENZA is the first car that Daimler has engineered from the bottom up outside of Germany, and it clearly lives up to its promise to be the safest, most reliable and convenient electric vehicle from and for China,” says Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for China. “Our joint investment of more than 300 million Euros proves that DENZA is both by far the most serious local electric vehicle effort in China, unmatched by any other European competitor, and a key pillar of our electric vehicle strategy in the country.”

The quality of DENZA’s production is secured at a modern production line that follows Daimler’s proven production management system. Attention to quality is thereby extended to the complete supply chain and supported by significant investments into the latest technologies. For instance, through a Coordinate Measuring Machine whose precision is accurate up to 0.1 mm, the physical and geometrical characteristics of single parts and complete vehicles are assured to be compliant with defined requirements. Additionally, special on and off-the job training for staff, for example by Daimler’s local production joint ventures or specific HV processes and specialists, complete DENZA’s ‘quality first’ production philosophy.

“It is certainly the right time and place for our DENZA as China undoubtedly has the potential to become the most important electric vehicle market in the future,” notes Arno Roehringer, COO of BDNT. “We have invested in a state-of-the-art production line and base our production mainly on renowned Daimler processes. Throughout the entire production process we focus on quality to assure that our customers are getting the best Chinese electric vehicle.”

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/denza-rolls-production-lines-china-marking-another-key-milestone-daimler/?

 

[GBOY]

Daimler reveals electric DENZA for China
Daimler's has unveiled the DENZA electric car, a joint venture with Chinese partner BYD.


It's the first joint venture dedicated to electric vehicles in China, with the DENZA manufactured at a modern production line that follows Daimler's proven production management system. The 'made in China, for China' electric vehicle, has rolled off the production line at Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co, in Shenzhen. This milestone targets raising the bar in the domestic electric vehicle market by combining Daimler engineering expertise as global forerunner in safety and quality with BYD's leading battery technology.

"DENZA is the first car that Daimler has engineered from the bottom up outside of Germany, and it clearly lives up to its promise to be the safest, most reliable and convenient electric vehicle from and for China," says Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for China. "Our joint investment of more than 300 million Euros proves that DENZA is both by far the most serious local electric vehicle effort in China, unmatched by any other European competitor, and a key pillar of our electric vehicle strategy in the country."

Daimler says the quality of the new car is assured due to the modern production line that follows Daimler's attention to detail. For instance, a Co-ordinate Measuring Machine includes accurate precision up to 0.1 mm, while special on and off-the job training for staff complete DENZA's 'quality first' production philosophy.

"It is certainly the right time and place for our DENZA as China undoubtedly has the potential to become the most important electric vehicle market in the future," notes Arno Roehringer, COO of BDNT. "We have invested in a state-of-the-art production line and base our production mainly on renowned Daimler processes. Throughout the entire production process we focus on quality to assure that our customers are getting the best Chinese electric vehicle."

The modern, urban DENZA has been designed around its lithium iron phosphate battery which is framed by a lightweight aluminum case. Intended to absorb large amounts of energy, it is located at the safest place in the car - underneath the body. With a driving range of up to 300 kilometers, the DENZA offers emission free mobility for day-to-day use. The charging is also convenient says Daimler, connected to a 22 kW wall-box customers can fully charge the DENZA in less than three hours, alternatively standard household power outlets can be used as well. Thanks to a wheel-base matching the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the DENZA offers generous legroom in the rear as well as offering boot capacity of 460 liters. The new car also attained 5 stars at China-NCAP's crash rating, a first for an electric vehicle.

First DENZA models will hit the market at the end of September with prices starting at RMB 369,000 (about GBP 36,564).


http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/DENZA_news.html?id=13953

 

[Car Nut]

Clearly a massive amount of work has gone into the setup of the production facilities, the technology as well as the training of staff, but the car itself looks old because it has been so long in the making. I don't know why most of these electric vehicles have to look plain ugly. It's like the theory that food that's good for you can only taste terrible. Hopefully this car receives a facelift early or the next generation comes out soon enough. Future generations should at least be easier now that the production infrastructure has been set up.

 

[Wolfgang]

Picture credit: SN/EPA / salzburg.com

 

[Wolfgang]

http://www.denza.com/?s=eng

 

[Wolfgang]

Daimler strengthens dedication to emission-free mobility with new DENZA 400 EV for China

• Introducing DENZA 400 from BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (BDNT), China’s first Sino-German joint venture focused on electric vehicles
• DENZA 400 vehicle with upgraded battery, electric motor and electronic control rolls off the production line, providing a range of up to 400 km
• Investments into production line and research and development of new energy vehicle products
• Daimler is committed to providing emission-free mobility solutions in China’s growing new energy vehicles market
• “Our joint venture BDNT unites the best of Sino-German cooperation in new energy vehicles. The DENZA 400 with upgraded range offers our Chinese customers a driving experience on a new level,” said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Greater China

Shenzhen/Stuttgart – Daimler extends its portfolio of new energy vehicles (NEV) with the introduction of the DENZA 400, the company’s “Made in China, for China” electric vehicle from Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (BDNT). The DENZA 400 offers upgraded battery, electric motor and electronic control providing customers an electric range of up to 400 km on a full charge. The vehicles are manufactured at BDNT’s independent production line at the BYD base in Shenzhen. The new flexible production line will increase capacity based on future market demand. Today’s start of production of another NEV underlines Daimler’s comprehensive approach in the area of electric mobility.

“Our joint venture BDNT unites the best of Sino-German cooperation in new energy vehicles. Already offering safe, reliable and convenient electric vehicles from and for China, the DENZA 400 with upgraded range offers our Chinese customers a further improved driving experience,” said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Greater China. “We are confident about the future prospect of new energy vehicles in the country. Daimler will continue to invest in research and development of efficient and eco-friendly new energy vehicles, which represent a key pillar of our China growth strategy.”

In addition to electric vehicles, Daimler’s strategy in China to reduce emissions and promote environmental responsibility includes an increasing offering of plug-in hybrid vehicles. In 2013, Mercedes-Benz became the first automaker to offer petrol, diesel and hybrid models at the same time in China. The E 400 L Hybrid was the first locally-produced hybrid from a premium brand, while the smart electric drive (electric power consumption combined 15.1 kWh/100km/ CO2 emissions combined 0g/km) was the first imported premium all-electric vehicle from Europe.

The DENZA 400 – convenient emission-free mobility for day-to-day use

The DENZA 400 features improved battery density achieved through an upgraded production process that increases the battery’s capacity from 47.5 kWh to 62 kWh while maintaining the original size. With an upgraded range of up to 400 km, most Chinese consumers, who generally drive 50 to 80 km per day, will only need to recharge their DENZA 400 once per week.

The first generation of DENZA was launched in 2014 as the premiere offering from the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to electric vehicles in China. With nearly 3,000 units sold in its first year in 2015, DENZA quickly became the choice for those seeking convenient and reliable emission-free mobility.

Source: Daimler

 

[Wolfgang]

http://www.denza.com/

 

[Wolfgang]

BYD, Daimler to recapitalize unprofitable EV joint venture
Automotive News China | 2017/5/19

BYD Co. and Daimler AG will each invest 500 million yuan ($72.6 million) to shore up their debt-laden electric vehicle joint venture in China.

Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co. will increase its capitalization to 3.36 billion yuan, up from 2.36 billion yuan. According to BYD, the money will help Denza expand its distribution network and improve brand recognition.

Denza, a 50-50 partnership between BYD and Daimler, has been unprofitable since 2014, when its sole EV model hit the market.

The Denza EV, a five-seat compact sedan, is powered by BYD's lithium iron phosphate batteries and has a range of 300 km (186 miles) on a single charge. It has a starting price of 369,000 yuan. With government subsidies, it still sells for more than 300,000 yuan.

Because of high prices and weak brand recognition, sales of the Denza EV fell 21 percent to 2,287 vehicles last year.

As sales stagnated, Denza lost 72.5 million yuan in the first three months of this year, following a loss of 1.3 billion yuan in 2016.

BYD did not disclose sales of the Denza EV for the first quarter.

Denza is incorporated in the south China city of Shenzhen where BYD is headquartered. BYD is China's top producer of electric vehicles.

 

[Emex]

Is it just me, or is there a whole lot of W245 B-Class look in the lines of this?

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Yes, it's based on the W245 according to this article.

CHINESE FIRM IS FIRST TO THE LONG-RANGE, MASS-MARKET EV SEGMENT
By Ronan Glon - Digital Trends

Many automakers are touting affordable, new-generation electric vehicles that will land in a few months — or, in some cases, a few years — with a driving range of about 250 miles. Denza, a Chinese brand co-owned by BYD and Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler, has beat them all to the punch.

Called 400, the only model in the Denza lineup is based on the last generation of the Mercedes B-Class so its chassis isn’t what we’d call state-of-the-art. The same can’t be said about its drivetrain, which is made up of a compact electric motor that zaps the front wheels with 181 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of instant torque, and a 62kWh battery pack mounted under the passenger compartment.

The pack stores enough juice to give the 400 a 250-mile driving range. The company points out on its official website that driving at a steady 40 mph bumps that figure up to about 293 miles, however. In comparison, a Nissan Leaf can drive for 107 miles on a single charge, while a base model Tesla Model X 60D is rated at 200 miles. Denza explains that Chinese motorists will likely only need to charge the 400 once a week because they drive approximately 40 miles a day on average.

Denza’s newest model is on sale now in China. Pricing for the midlevel Executive trim starts at 415,800 yuan, a sum that represents roughly $62,606 at the current conversion rate. EV buyers are eligible to receive hefty rebates from the local and national government, and they benefit from a generous tax break. When all is said and done, the Denza 400 Executive’s base price falls to 305,800 yuan, which converts to approximately $46,000. Pricing for the base model or the range-topping Aurora trim hasn’t been released yet.

The Denza 400 is made and exclusively sold in China. At the time of writing, the company isn’t planning to take on the Tesla Model 3 and the Chevrolet Bolt on the long-range, mass-market EV segment.

Chinese firm is first to the long-range, mass-market EV segment

 

[Wolfgang]

The Denza 500 became available today.

Daimler launches new DENZA electric vehicle for the Chinese market

• Daimler and its Chinese partner BYD continuously invest in DENZA product development for China’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market
• New DENZA electric vehicle brings a refreshed exterior design and extended range of around 500 kilometers
• Locally sourced and produced, DENZA brand combines Daimler’s vehicle architecture expertise with BYD’s leading battery technology

Stuttgart / Shenzhen – Daimler and BYD Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. today launched the new DENZA 500 battery electric vehicle from their joint venture, Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. Engineered and produced in and for China, the new DENZA 500 offers Chinese customers a comprehensive upgrade through a refreshed exterior design and extended electric range. The DENZA model combines Daimler’s vehicle architecture expertise and advanced safety engineering with BYD’s leading advantages in battery technology. Through continuous investment in DENZA product development, Daimler is dedicated to contributing to the further development of electric mobility in China.

The DENZA 500 adopts a refreshed and unique exterior design, featuring “tiger eye” LED headlights and rippling LED taillights, while inside sees a larger 9-inch touchscreen. Upgraded connectivity services include charging solutions and the DENZA smartphone application. Via the DENZA application, WeChat account, or car navigation system, DENZA owners can quickly locate over 112,000 charging piles across the country. A new battery and additional weight reductions allow increased energy efficiency, providing an extended range of around 500 km. The new DENZA 500 was tested in a wide range of harsh conditions, including severe winter testing at temperatures of as low as –40 degrees Celsius.

In 2017, DENZA achieved its best sales performance to date, with retail sales volume increasing by 85% year-on-year, outpacing the industry average, thanks to the strong customer reception of the DENZA 400 model. The brand also expanded its reach through selected Mercedes-Benz dealer partners, which now offer sales and after-sales service for DENZA vehicles. Through cooperation with Chinese ride hailing platforms, DENZA has allowed even more Chinese customers to experience the brand’s environmentally-friendly mobility.

About Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive Co., Ltd. (DENZA Auto) is a 50:50 joint venture of Daimler Greater China Ltd. and BYD Automotive Industry Co., Ltd. Established in 2011, DENZA Auto was the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to battery electric vehicles. Combining Daimler’s renowned engineering expertise in safety and quality with BYD’s leading battery technology, DENZA Auto was the first electric vehicle manufacturer in China to conduct crash tests according to the C-NCAP standard, receiving a 5-star rating. DENZA is one of the key pillars of Daimler’s New Energy Vehicle strategy in China, contributing to its NEV offensive as a homegrown brand.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Why do I see а resemblance here?

 

[Wolfgang]

^ It's designers, Olivier Boulay and Peter Arcadipane, may admire Gaston Juchet's and Patrick Le Clement's R16?


For the new electric vehicle with BYD, which is part-owned by American investor Warren Buffett, Boulay said he could not share many details, except to say a concept version will be introduced at next year’s Beijing Auto Show to help position the brand.

The design will want to show it’s an electric car but Boulay said he also wanted to emphasize that the vehicle is not too radical a departure from existing cars. The company met its design targets in December and the vehicle is now in engineering and production planning, he said.

“We are not trying to make a car where the design is kind of ‘flashy electric,’ because we think the public wants to have a smooth transition between today’s car and tomorrow,” said Boulay. “I’m not talking about doing a Star Wars machine.”

BYD and Daimler Sign Joint Venture Contract to Develop Electric Vehicles in China

 

[Wolfgang]

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[Wolfgang]

The Denza X debuts.

DENZA X – the electric mobility of the present

The DENZA X, the new model from the DENZA electric brand, celebrated its market debut in Guangzhou. Daimler and BYD, the leading manufacturer of battery-electric vehicles in China, have established the brand together. Designed by the China Advance Design Center, the DENZA X combines the resources and specialist knowledge of both companies. Both the plug-in-hybrid variant and the battery-electric vehicle are available exclusively on the Chinese market.

Source: Denza & Daimler

 

[Car Nut]

This is far better looking than the original Denza. It is an elegant and cohesive design.

 

[Grosser]

For China it's perfect!

 

[dalab]

The idea behind this is to compete in the mass market segment (not premium) ,? with VW for example in addition to multiple Chinese brands
The model is very nice and interesting indeed

 

[Rolf]

This car has a brilliant looking interior that is even nicer than some Mercedes models. I like the door handles, air vents and wood trim on the doors as well the aluminium strips. Even the leather looks expensive and classy.

The exterior looks really sleek and stylish for an SUV. I like it alot.