Denza, the premium electric vehicle brand under China’s BYD, will enter the German market in the fourth quarter of 2025 with two models: the Z9 GT shooting brake and the D9 electric van. The announcement marks a concrete step in BYD’s plans to expand its premium lineup into Europe, following an initial indication in April without specific launch details.
The Denza Z9 GT will be offered in Germany in both a fully electric and a plug-in hybrid configuration. The battery-electric version, already on sale in China since September 2024, is equipped with three motors delivering a total output of 710 kW (approximately 950 hp), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. It features a 100 kWh battery and a range of up to 630 km under China’s CLTC standard. The European WLTP range has yet to be announced.
The “Super-DM” plug-in hybrid variant combines a 200 kW combustion engine with two 220 kW rear electric motors. It includes a 38.5 kWh battery, offering an electric-only CLTC range of 201 km and a total range of up to 1,101 km. The D9 van, which debuted in China in 2022 as a seven-seater, will also be introduced in Germany, though it remains unclear whether the EV, plug-in hybrid, or both variants will be available.
The launch will be overseen by Klaus Hartmann, who was appointed Regional Sales Director Denza Europe on March 1, 2025. Hartmann, who previously held senior roles at Daimler and Ineos Automotive, will be responsible for Denza’s growth in Germany and Austria. BYD Europe’s SVP Maria Grazia Davino said, “With Klaus Hartmann, we have a strong, energetic, and determined leader who has already successfully established a new brand in Europe.”
Originally formed in 2011 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler, Denza has been repositioned solely under BYD’s ownership after Mercedes-Benz Group sold its remaining stake in July 2024. A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson confirmed last year that current Denza models are no longer based on any of the German automaker’s technologies.
Source: myconvento