Denza: owner, models, markets and what the name means
Facts checked United States status as of 4 September 2026
- Private
- Electric-native
- SEHK 1211
- SZSE 002594
Listing: Hong Kong (SEHK 1211) since 2002 and Shenzhen (SZSE 002594)
Denza was created as Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive on 27 May 2010, a 50/50 venture between BYD and Daimler that paired BYD's batteries with Mercedes-Benz chassis and safety engineering. The brand name appeared in March 2012 and the first car, a battery-electric compact built on an old Mercedes B-Class platform, arrived in December 2014. It sold in very small numbers for most of a decade.
The ownership then moved twice. BYD signed an equity transfer with Daimler in January 2022 that took it to 90% and Mercedes-Benz to 10%, closing that year. On 14 September 2024 China's corporate register showed Mercedes-Benz off the shareholder list altogether and a Mercedes executive removed from the board, leaving BYD with 100%. Denza cars sold today contain no Mercedes-Benz technology.
Under BYD alone the brand was relaunched around the D9, a large plug-in and electric people-carrier, and grew quickly. The current range covers the D9, the N8L and N9 large SUVs, the Z9 GT fastback and the Z sports car. Exports began in 2024 with right-hand-drive D9s in Hong Kong, then Southeast Asia, and reached Europe in 2025, launched in Milan with the Z9 GT.
Denza also acts as BYD's export badge for models sold at home under other names: the Fangchengbao Bao 5 and Bao 8 are sold abroad as the Denza B5 and B8.
Wholly owned by BYD since September 2024. It began as a 50/50 venture with Daimler (later Mercedes-Benz Group) in 2010; BYD went to 90% in 2022 and Mercedes-Benz left entirely in 2024.
Key facts
| Chinese name | 腾势 “tung-SHIR” 腾 téng 'to soar, to rise' + 势 shì 'momentum, force' — 'rising momentum' |
|---|---|
| Also written | DENZA |
| Owner | BYD |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, China |
| Origin | China |
| First car | Denza EV (Denza 300), 2014 |
| Vehicles | Cars |
| Segment | Premium |
| United States | Never sold in the United States — Denza has never been sold in the United States and BYD does not sell passenger cars there. |
| Founded | 27 May 2010 as a 50/50 BYD-Daimler venture; brand name introduced March 2012 |
| BYD to 90% | Equity transfer agreed with Daimler in January 2022, closing mid-2022 |
| Mercedes-Benz exit | Removed from the shareholder register on 14 September 2024, leaving BYD with 100% |
| Export badge | The Fangchengbao Bao 5 and Bao 8 are sold outside China as the Denza B5 and B8 |
| Europe | Brand launched in Europe in 2025, starting with the Z9 GT at an event in Milan |
Who owns Denza?
Lü Xiangyang holds a stake in BYD since February 1995.
Wang Chuanfu's cousin, BYD's co-founder and early financial backer; he has held BYD shares through Guangzhou Rongjie Investment. The current percentage was not verified.
Former owners
Holdings that have ended. They are here because the story needs them and are never part of the current tree.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG formerly held Denza at 50% from 27 May 2010 until 2022.
Daimler and BYD founded Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive as an equal joint venture on 27 May 2010. BYD signed an equity transfer agreement in January 2022 that reduced Daimler's successor, Mercedes-Benz Group, to 10%; the deal closed in mid-2022.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG formerly held Denza at 10% from 2022 until 14 September 2024.
Mercedes-Benz kept a 10% residual holding in Denza after the 2022 transfer and disposed of it in 2024; the corporate register showed it off the shareholder list on 14 September 2024 and a Mercedes executive removed from the board.
The full ownership page for Denza · Is Denza Chinese?
Denza models
| Model | Name in China | Body | Powertrain | Range | Price in China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 腾势D9Denza D9 | Denza D9 腾势D9 | MPV | Offered with more than one powertrain | 98 km NEDC | CNY 339,800 as of |
| 腾势Z9GTDenza Z9 GT | Denza Z9 GT 腾势Z9GT | Estate | Offered with more than one powertrain | 161 km WLTP | CNY 269,800 as of |
Where Denza is sold
Recorded in 4 market s: CN, HK, Philippines and Italy. Where a company publishes only its principal markets, that is a floor and not a complete list.
| Country | Code | Market page |
|---|---|---|
| China | CN | no page yet |
| Hong Kong SAR China | HK | no page yet |
| Philippines | PH | Chinese cars in the Philippines |
| Italy | IT | Chinese cars in Italy |
Denza: questions people ask
- Does Mercedes-Benz still own part of Denza?
- No. Mercedes-Benz cut its holding from 50% to 10% in 2022 and left completely in September 2024. BYD owns 100% of Denza and current Denza models use no Mercedes-Benz technology.
- Who owns Denza?
- BYD, outright, since September 2024.
- What does Denza mean?
- The Chinese name is 腾势 (Téngshì) — 'to soar' plus 'momentum'. Denza is a coined English name, not a translation.
- Is the Denza B5 the same as the Fangchengbao Bao 5?
- Yes. BYD sells several Fangchengbao models abroad under the Denza badge; the Bao 5 becomes the Denza B5 and the Bao 8 the Denza B8.
Related
Sources for Denza
- Wikipedia, Denza. Read . Founding dates, first car, model range, export markets and the Milan launch
- CnEVPost, BYD now holds 100% of Denza as Mercedes exits. Read . The 14 September 2024 register change and the January 2022 step to 90%
- CarNewsChina, BYD's Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 to be sold overseas as Denza B5. Read . Export rebadging of Fangchengbao models as Denza
- electrive, Mercedes-Benz exits Denza completely. Read . Independent confirmation of the July/September 2024 exit