Daimler and BYD Automotive Industry Co have launched the new Denza 500 battery electric vehicle from their joint venture, Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co.

Engineered and produced in and for China, the new Denza 500 offers Chinese customers a comprehensive upgrade through a refreshed exterior design and extended electric range. The Denza model combines Daimler’s vehicle architecture expertise and advanced safety engineering with BYD’s leading advantages in battery technology.

The Denza 500 features a refreshed and unique exterior design, featuring ‘tiger eye’ LED headlights and rippling LED taillights, while inside sees a larger 9-inch touchscreen. Upgraded connectivity services include charging solutions and the Denza smartphone application. Via the Denza application, WeChat account, or car navigation system, Denza owners can quickly locate over 112,000 charging piles across the country.

A new battery and additional weight reductions allow increased energy efficiency, providing an extended range of around 500km. The new Denza 500 has been tested in a wide range of harsh conditions, including severe winter testing at temperatures of as low as -40deg Celsius.

In 2017, Denza achieved its best sales performance to date, with retail sales volume increasing by 85 percent year-on-year, outpacing the industry average, due to the strong customer reception of the Denza 400 model.

Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co (Denza Auto) is a 50:50 joint venture of Daimler Greater China Ltd. and BYD Automotive Industry Co. Established in 2011, it was the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to battery electric vehicles. Combining Daimler’s engineering expertise in safety and quality with BYD’s leading battery technology, Denza Auto was the first electric vehicle manufacturer in China to conduct crash tests according to the C-NCAP standard, receiving a 5-star rating.