Daimler and BYD introduce Denza brand for battery-electric vehicles
30 March 2012
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| Denza logo. Click to enlarge. |
BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT), the 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and BYD (earlier post) formally revealed in Shenzhen at the “EV – The Future” event its new Denza brand of electric vehicles developed in China, for the Chinese market.
The Denza brand launch event is the latest milestone in the cooperation between Daimler and BYD. Following the BDNT joint venture contract signing in May 2010 and granting of the China business license in March 2011, development has been progressing on schedule, according to the partners.
BYD and Daimler have been visionaries in the development of sustainable mobility and new technologies. We are at the forefront in China as the first company to form a joint venture for the development of a pure electric vehicle, and we’re continuing our pace forward with this landmark event today.
—Ulrich Walker, Chairman & CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BDNT
We have the ideal partner in Daimler. BYD provides experience in battery technology and e-drive systems, as well as bringing EVs into operation on the streets of China. In connection with Daimler’s design of premium autos, know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety, and more than 125 years of experience in automotive excellence, DENZA is on the right track to become the leader in the New Energy Vehicle market in China.
—Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD and Member of the Board of Directors of BDNT
Primarily created with a focus on Chinese consumers, the name Denza is derived from the Chinese characters 腾势 (téng shì), which together mean “rising power and momentum”—referring both to the attributes of the car as well as the pace of development Denza aims to be ahead in the New Energy Vehicle industry. Denza is also a distinctive name in the English language with no prior associations.
The logo is designed around the flowing form of a central water-drop, supported by two hands. The blue water-drop represents the environmental friendliness of the all-electric vehicle, with blue also signifying advanced technology and a bright future. The curves on either side of the water-drop represent the hands of the two partners providing mutual support for the joint venture, as well as for the environment.
The first public appearance of the Denza concept car will be at Auto China in Beijing in April, with first production planned in 2013.
Quote from the article ''The first public appearance of the Denza concept car will be at Auto China in Beijing in April,''
If they can show for real a concept car next month then why in the article there is no description of this car. How big is the battery and what the car looks like. I want to see a pic of this car and know the basic specification right now.
Posted by: A D | 30 March 2012 at 08:09 AM
Here's a little bit more information.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/261985/
Posted by: yoatmon | 30 March 2012 at 08:38 AM
Not so sure that MB heavy vehicles are suited for future EVs.
Sooner of latter, the world will have to realize that it does not make sense to use a 4000+ lbs vehicle to transport one 165 lbs person from A to Z. Why should a vehicle weight 25 times more than the driver/passenger?
Electrified vehicles, with 100 to 110 cu. ft cab, will start to make sense when their total empty weight is reduced by at least 50% or under 2000 lbs. There are no acceptable reasons why we should lug 2+ tons of vehicle around, nor any body weight much over 200 lbs.
Can MB do that?
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 March 2012 at 10:00 AM
Harvey, you spend an inordinate amount of time on here worrying about how much people weigh. Did a fat kid beat you up when you were little?
Posted by: Matthew | 30 March 2012 at 12:44 PM
Small European cars are now around the 1,000 kilo mark.
I would envisage them dropping via technology like Toyota's FT-Bh to around the 850 kilos mark.
Posted by: Davemart | 31 March 2012 at 02:37 AM
Matthew...obesity is fast become one the world growing problem. It has very negative effects on all aspect of human life. The world leader (USA with 40+%)) has the highest healthcare cost but one of the lowest health well being.Life expectancy is going down in USA mostly due to obesity. Over weight people have 51% more depressions, have 3 to 5 times more sicknesses, are less productive due to aggravated absenteeism and shorter productive time frame, eat more food (4000 to 5000 Kcal instead of 2000 Kcal to 2500 Kcal a day), need 2X times more clothing and foot wear, need lager cars, many cannot use economy class seats in public transports or smaller cars, etc etc
Can you imagine all the growing difficulties of a family of four weighting over 1200 lbs. They could become the majority in USA by 2030?
Yes, we should worry more about this self destructing trend.
Yes, it is time to have a serious look at what we eat and drink and buy digital scales.
Posted by: HarveyD | 31 March 2012 at 10:14 AM
@HarveyD,
Economy cars are often already uncomfortable for the hefty and the tall. That's ok. If we can get the the other 2/3rds of the population to drive efficient vehicles, we will have made much progress.
The question of vehicle weight urges a more specific question. Why do manufacturers make vehicles so heavy? For trucks, it is so they don't flip over when hauling heavy trailers. For sedans, it is often so they feel "smooth" and quiet at highway speeds. For smaller cars, besides some steel for cheap safety reinforcement...it doesn't make much sense.
Posted by: HealthyBreeze | 02 April 2012 at 05:29 PM
HB...we were repeatedly told that heavier cars were better buys. The Big-3 Ads were full of xx lbs heavier for better drive, happier living etc. Cars had to be longer than the neighbor's with up to 4 feet over hang and wider with 15- inch thick doors etc. The booth had to be large enough for 6+ golf bags etc. All that foolish brain wash lasted for almost 10 decades and will not go away over night.
Soon, somebody will find smart ways to de-brain wash the majority and build very good reduced weight cars. A mini-Smart is an excellent city car, even for tall people. Super light composites could be used to further reduce weight of all existing cars without reducing the interior space or racing capabilities. Most F-1 race cars weight less than 1500 lbs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 April 2012 at 07:24 AM
@HarveyD,
Sure, Detroit marketers tried to equate bigger with better so they could charge more, because the labor on big cars was about the same as small cars, but the margins were higher because of the perception of "More" value.
The current challenge with ultra-lightweight, low-frontal-cross-section cars is that they have more expensive materials, so they cost more, running very counter intuitively against that simplistic human psychology.
How do you change that?
Posted by: HealthyBreeze | 03 April 2012 at 03:39 PM
HB: We may have to advertise the life time cost (purchase + operation) of every new vehicle, specially with $4 to $8/gal fuel for 15 KKm, 20 KKm, 25 Kkm and 30 KKm/year over 10 to 15 years, etc.
Once that info is on every sticker, potential buyers could may an informed choice. A low cost cal-machine/smart phone/tablet etc could be programmed to do the maths.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 April 2012 at 08:09 AM