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DENZA: Body-in-white production with welding robots in the Shenzhen production facilities |
DENZA is well on track: The joint Chinese brand of Daimler and its partner BYD (joint venture: Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology, BDNT) is eagerly looking forward to the market introduction of the DENZA, which is slated for 2014 as announced earlier. The battery-electric vehicle will see its world premiere in April 2014 at the Auto China trade fair in Beijing. Also in Beijing, the first DENZA dealership will open its doors mid next year. Further dealerships are built up simultaneously in Shanghai, China, and Shenzhen, China.
Three of China’s leading automobile dealership groups, Zhongsheng Group Holdings Limited (Zhongsheng Group), Lei Shing Hong Auto (China) Management Co., Ltd. (LSH), and Pangda Automobile Trade Co., Ltd. (Pangda Group), will become the first dealers responsible for the distribution and service of DENZA electric vehicles, an according Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed earlier this year.
At present, BDNT is focusing on intensivetesting of pre-production models: After the dusty and hot summer testing programs in the South of China have been accomplished, the second season of challenging winter tests will soon begin in the freezing cold of north-eastern China. At the same time, production tests in the Shenzhen plant are running successfully. The official goal of the joint venture: DENZA will be the safest and most reliable electric vehicle – designed and engineered in China, for China.
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Even before the birth of DENZA, Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (BDNT) has created a very special ‘first’: When Daimler and BYD established their joint company in February 2011, they founded the first joint venture in China dedicated solely to New Energy Vehicles. Today over 250 engineers and experts from both companies combine their strengths and know-how at BDNT’s base in Shenzhen. BYD is providing its expertise in battery technology and e-drive systems. With its history of more than 125 years in automotive excellence, Daimler is contributing its know-how in vehicle architecture, safety, and quality.
As the world’s largest automotive market today already, China will also play a pivotal role in boosting market penetration of alternative drive systems thanks to the supportive environment created by the Chinese Government. Experts expect that China could become the world’s largest market for these vehicles as well.