BYD’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, Denza, has achieved a significant milestone as the first production units of its highly anticipated N7 SUV have officially rolled off the assembly line. Zhao Changjiang, the general manager of Denza’s sales division, shared this exciting news on Weibo today, accompanied by two celebratory images.
Although Zhao did not divulge further details, he previously revealed on June 13 that the Denza N7 had already garnered over 20,000 pre-orders, even before specifications and pricing were disclosed. Back in March, Zhao had expressed that there was considerable customer demand for the release of the Denza N7, with an expected target of 30,000 orders by mid-year, judging from the volume of inquiries.
Established in February 2011 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler, with both companies holding equal 50 percent stakes, Denza witnessed a change in ownership structure in February 2022 when Daimler’s brand transformed into Mercedes-Benz. BYD subsequently acquired a 90 percent share in Denza last year.
Denza’s foray into the market following the restructuring commenced in August 2022 with the launch of the D9 MPV. The Denza N7, a mid-size SUV, marks the brand’s second model after the ownership transition and its inaugural entry into the SUV segment.
Reservations for the Denza N7 were initiated on the opening day of the Shanghai Auto Show, April 18, without divulging pricing details. However, on December 20 the previous year, Zhao had announced on Weibo that the Denza N7 was intended to cater to customers seeking conventional internal combustion engine vehicles priced around 400,000 yuan ($55,750).
The enthusiasm surrounding the Denza N7 became apparent when it garnered 10,569 pre-orders within just seven days of reservations becoming available, as disclosed by Denza on April 25. Zhao further revealed during Denza’s inaugural brand day event on May 30 that the N7 would officially go on sale in late June, with deliveries scheduled to commence in July.
According to a regulatory filing, the Denza N7 is a 5-seat mid-size SUV featuring dimensions of 4,860 mm in length, 1,935 mm in width, and 1,602 mm in height, with a wheelbase measuring 2,940 mm.
Denza’s sole model currently available for delivery, the Denza D9, debuted in October of the previous year and achieved impressive sales figures, surpassing 10,000 units for the third consecutive month in May 2023, with a total of 11,005 units sold.
