BYD's Denza teases its next car by using Mercedes' name

Denza started out as a joint-venture between Daimler (aka Mercedes) and BYD, but currently the former only holds about 10% of Denza's shares, with BYD growing to 90%. That isn't stopping Denza from using Mercedes' name to tease its next EV, however.

The new model was showcased on the streets of Stuttgart, Germany (which is Mercedes' home), and Denza's press release calls it "the new luxury sedan by Mercedes-Benz and BYD", which is disingenuous to say the least, as is calling it a "co-branded Denza". "Co-branding" means two brands are both used. In this case, that would mean this model would be the Mercedes-Benz BYD something. But it's not, it's just the next Denza.

Anyway, misleading shenanigans aside, it does look very sleek and aerodynamic from the official shots that were released, and which you can see above and below. Denza bills this as a "world-class new energy sedan", that has "a striking design and innovative electrification". We can see the former, while the latter is apparently "BYD's unveiled new energy technology".

The new Denza has been designed by Wolfgang Egger, formerly at Audi. Talking about the car, he said: "The design is simultaneously spirited and deluxe", whatever that means.

The new car will "be the pioneer in building Chinese new energy luxury sedans into world-class vehicles". Lofty aspirations indeed. We'll find out more in the coming months, as this model is slated to go on sale "by the end of this year".