BYD, a Chinese automotive superpower, just produced its 10 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV). This feat exemplifies BYD‘s dramatic rise from a modest battery manufacturer in 1995 to a global leader in the electric vehicle market.
The Denza Z9 sedan was unveiled at the 2024 Guangzhou car show and handed delivered to Feng Ji, CEO of Game Science, the firm behind the blockbuster video game Black Myth: Wukong. BYD and Game Science propose to employ BYD technology to digitally conserve cultural treasures.
The Denza Z9 is available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) models. The starting price of RMB 334,800 (about $46,270) includes BYD’s e3 technology, which is a scaled-down version of their e⁴ technology suited for luxury automobiles. The e3 system is based on Xuanji architecture. The tri-motor independent drive system and dual-motor independent steering for the rear wheels deliver excellent performance and handling. Delivery of the Z9 is likely to begin in early December.
BYD’s adventure began in 1995, with only 20 personnel. It now employs over 900,000 people, with 110,000 of them working in research and development. The company’s debut into the automobile business began in 2003 with the acquisition of Qinchuan. Following an initial setback with their first car model, the 316, BYD achieved success with the F3 in 2005, selling 100,000 copies in just 14 months. This early success spurred BYD’s ambition, resulting in the development of pioneering plug-in hybrid technology and the 2008 debut of the first-generation DM hybrid platform.
BYD introduced the fourth-generation DM platform in 2021, with both performance-oriented (DM-p) and efficiency-focused (DM-i) choices. This year, the company debuted the fifth-generation DM platform, which provides even more fuel efficiency. This unwavering pursuit of technological innovation has fueled BYD’s expansion from selling less than 30,000 vehicles per month four years ago to over 500,000 units per month now.
In 2021, BYD became the first Chinese carmaker to produce a million NEVs. The business chose to stop producing internal combustion engine vehicles in 2022 and focus only on PHEVs and BEVs. BYD’s NEV sales continue to rise, surpassing 3.25 million units in the first 10 months of 2024, up 36.49% year on year. Industry analysts expect that BYD’s global deliveries would exceed 6 million vehicles by 2026, with a sizable share coming from abroad markets.
Congratulations to BYD for make the EV world fun and creative, most if the car are great and affordable.