BYD’s 16 Millionth NEV Rolls Off Line: Denza D9

BYD officially announced on April 17 that its 16 millionth new energy vehicle has rolled off the production line at its Changsha factory. The milestone vehicle is the first second-generation Denza D9, a flagship luxury MPV.

From 1 to 16 Million: BYD’s Rapid Acceleration

BYD became the world’s first automaker to produce 10 million NEVs, and has now added another 6 million units in less than two years. This achievement highlights BYD’s strength in core NEV technology, vertical integration, and multi-brand strategy.

Second-Generation Denza D9: A Comprehensive Upgrade

The second-generation Denza D9 evolves the model that has led China’s luxury MPV segment since 2022, with over 200,000 units delivered.

Exterior: The new “π-Motion” grille, revised LED headlights, and full-width taillights give a more refined appearance. Concealed door handles are now optional.

Interior: The 2+2+3 layout remains. Second-row zero-gravity aviation seats feature 14‑way power adjustment, ventilation, heating, and massage. A dual refrigerator system (8L front, 10L rear) and a 14‑speaker Dynaudio sound system are included.

Smart Cabin & ADAS: DiLink 5.0 with a 15.6‑inch rotating screen supports 5G, voice control, and OTA. Denza Pilot L2+ ADAS includes highway assist, auto lane change, and auto parking. LiDAR is available on higher trims.

Powertrain: DM version uses BYD’s fifth-generation DM hybrid (DM5.0) with a 1.5T engine (46.5% thermal efficiency), 220 km CLTC electric range, and over 1,300 km total range. EV version is based on e‑platform 3.0, offering up to 700 km CLTC range with 800V fast charging.

Chassis: Standard Yunian-C intelligent damping control; optional Yunian‑A air suspension on higher trims.

Changsha Factory and Denza Brand

The Changsha plant is a key BYD production base. Denza, originally a BYD‑Daimler joint venture, is now fully led by BYD. Chairman Wang Chuanfu stated that BYD’s best technologies will debut on Denza models first.

Outlook

The 16 millionth NEV milestone underscores BYD’s global leadership. The second-generation Denza D9 is set to compete with the Toyota Alphard, Buick Century, and Zeekr 009. While not yet officially available in Hong Kong, the model is highly attractive for frequent mainland travellers and families in the Greater Bay Area. More details will follow soon.