Automotive

Daimler / BYD joint venture delivers first EV prototype

Daimler / BYD joint venture delivers first EV prototype
DENZA has unveiled its new all-electric vehicle at Auto China 2012 in Beijing
DENZA has unveiled its new all-electric vehicle at Auto China 2012 in Beijing
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DENZA has unveiled its new all-electric vehicle at Auto China 2012 in Beijing
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DENZA has unveiled its new all-electric vehicle at Auto China 2012 in Beijing
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A new all-electric vehicle unveiled at Auto China 2012 marks the first appearance of the Denza brand at a motor show. Denza, a joint venture between Daimler and China’s BYD Auto, was officially launched in March this year and its first concept car is expected to reach production by 2013, with the first prototypes already being tested on the roads in China.

The Denza all-electric car features rear-hinged rear doors, reclining rear seats and a "visually integrated" battery storage area which is claimed to succeed "better than most EVs at keeping the batteries out of passengers’ way.

There's no detail as yet on performance specs.

“We brought traditional Chinese elements forward into the next generation with a priority on ergonomic design and some futuristic innovations,” says BDNT CEO Lian Yubo.

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Denza all-electric car

The Denza EV will be built in China by the Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co., Ltd. (BDNT). This company was recently created as a 50-50 partnership between Daimler AG and BYD Auto Co. Ltd. The Chinese-based auto manufacturer BYD was first established in 2003 as a rechargeable battery maker, and is bringing its expertise in battery technology and e-drive systems to the venture.

Denza all-electric car
Denza all-electric car

The car will be produced exclusively for the Chinese market, and BDNT hopes that the Denza will expand the already growing number of EV vehicles in China, which according to the company, is expected to rise from its current figure of 10,000 to 5,000,000 by 2020.

Source: Daimler

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3 comments
3 comments
Arturo Rodríguez
Current electrical accumulator’s batteries are the Achilles Heel of the pure electrical vehicles and they seem to be in a technological dead end. The clue to the success of the pure electrical traction vehicles is not only a high density, low volume and low weight energy storage system, but also one acceptable to the users. Current technology of electric accumulators, even the most advanced, is not accepted by the users, because all they have had bad experiences with the "batteries" of their cars. We must find new fountains of easily transportable fuel before the fossil ones disappear or become too expensive. I have discovered one and I am trying to make it work. Good luck ¡
Charles Hoss
battery , expertise , e-drive (drivetrain?) technology from BYD , who already manufactures , sells 10.000 electric cars a year . now , daimler brings the european knowledge , money to the table to build a car in china for china . will they design the cup holders ?
Bill Bennett
if an electric had a range of 300 miles @ 70 to 80 mph at an USD price of under $20K and the chassis was not a turd shoe box, I would buy it. I don't want two cars, one to go to the grocery and one to see my 180 mile away girl