Daimler Teases Denza EV, Will Debut at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show

The Auto China 2014 in Beijing will host the world premiere of the Denza electric vehicle, the first production model of the joint-venture between Daimler AG and its Chinese partner BYD.

Called Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology (BDNT), the JV is dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles. To prepare for the market introduction of the Denza EV, BDNT is currently carrying out intensive testing of pre-production. So far, the Denza has been tested in dusty, summer conditions in the South of China, with winter tests to begin soon in the freezing cold of north-eastern China.

The plant in Shenzhen is also running production tests in order to start building what BDNT calls “the safest and most reliable electric vehicle”, designed and engineered in China for the local market.

Previewed by a concept car at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the Denza EV may be based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive, judging from the shape of the development prototype shown in the photo.

Following the car’s premiere in Beijing, the first Denza dealership will open in the Chinese capital by mid-2014, with further dealerships being built simultaneously in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

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, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.

Mercedes isn’t the only German maker to create a new brand for electric cars in China as BMW has done the same with Zinoro, which has already released its first model, the E1.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

China’s BYD Drag Races New 298HP Plug-In Qin Against All Sorts of Sporty Cars

Since the BYD Qin is a China-only model, you have not heard and will not hear too much about it in the Western press, because it will never be sold here, hence the lack of interest in making it known.

Still, it’s a notable vehicle, according to its official figures, and as if to prove it to the rest of the world, drag races were staged and recorded on video, showing the Qin battling it out against a wide array of fast motors.

Its powertrain is comprised of two electric motors working in conjunction with a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine to deliver a combined total of 298 hp (223 kW) / 440 Nm (324 lb-ft), as well as an EV range of 31 miles (50 km) and a claimed efficiency rating equivalent to 118 MPGe. Off the mark performance is said to be very good, as the car is touted to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph).

Now scroll down and check out the two videos posted below. The first is short and shows the Qin winning easily, while the second lengthier one shows it on the losing side, as well, and is more balanced.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Green.autoblog

VIDEO

New Study Finds that Chinese Buyers Prefer European over Local Brands

Car buyers’ preferences in China are shifting towards European models and away from domestic and even Japanese vehicles, according to a new study published today by JD Power Asia Pacific. This is the third year that the study takes place.
The latest edition included 65 brands and 161 separate models in nine segments and is based on responses from 4,979 potential buyers of new-vehicles located in 53 cities.

Will China's BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars, China is king. We’re talking the world’s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world’s other largest car market?
So far, China’s “Big Four” (well, the four most visible to those outside of China) have made and broken promises of bringing their vehicles to the North American market. Brilliance, Chery, Nanjing and Geely have all backed down from their plans to open dealerships and factories stateside. So far, not a single car from China's major automakers has touched down on U.S. soil outside a motor show.

China's BYD Debuts Lexus RX-Inspired S6DM Dual-Mode Hybrid at Detroit Motor Show

Chinese automaker BYD marked its fourth consecutive appearance at the North American International Auto Show with the world premiere of the S6DM hybrid, with the DM in the name standing for "Dual-Mode".
The gasoline-electric hybrid is based on the Chinese firm's S6, a mid-size SUV model first introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2009. And no, you're not the only one to find the overall styling of the S6 reminiscent of the previous generation Lexus RX.

BMW's Chinese Partner Brilliance Auto to Make U.S. Debut at 2009 NAIAS

The 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January will see Brilliance Auto, BMW's Chinese partner, making its first appearance on U.S. soil. The Chinese automaker has already spread its wings to Europe but now its setting its eyes on the North American market as company officials say they want to begin selling cars in the U.S. as early as next year. Brilliance intends to show four vehicles in Detroit, the Pininfarina designed BS6 mid-sized sedan and BS4 compact sedan (pictured above and after the jump) and the BC3 compact coupe and FRV hatchback. In China, Brilliance builds BMW's domestic market 3 Series and 5 Series models.


NAIAS officials also revealed that another Chinese automaker, BYD will make an encore appearance in Detroit after its debut at the 2008 show. BYD has not disclosed any details of the vehicle premieres and models that will be on display at the Cobo Center.

The Chinese automaker made headlines recently when American billionaire investor Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings paid $230 million for a 10-percent stake in the firm to support its green technologies. BYD is currently developing electric-hybrid cars that it plans to sell in China later this year, Europe and Israel by 2010 and eventually in North America.

Just for the record, the number of Chinese auto manufacturers that displayed cars at this year's NAIAS show were five: Changfeng Motor Group, BYD Auto, Geely, China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc./ZXNA (Chamco) and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design.