BYD-owned Denza gets ready for Malaysian debut; official distributor appointed

KUALA LUMPUR: After hitting the 10,000 sales milestone in Malaysia, BYD Malaysia is set to expand its portfolio by launching an all-electric MPV next week. The Chinese automaker is also gearing up to introduce its premium sub-brand, Denza, to the Malaysian market, further solidifying its presence in the EV segment.

BYD has disclosed significant information on how Denza will operate within Malaysia’s automotive landscape.

BYD Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. - Official distributor of Denza vehicles

Denza will not be distributed through Sime Darby Motors, which handles the official distribution of BYD cars in Malaysia. Instead, the Denza vehicles will be sold directly through the automaker’s fully-owned subsidiary called BYD Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Sime Darby Auto Imports - Official importer for Denza

However, Sime Darby Motors will not be completely out of the picture as it will play a key role in the Denza business as an importer. Sime Darby’s subsidiary, Sime Darby Auto Imports Sdn. Bhd. will handle the import of Denza vehicles, ensuring a smooth supply flow.

The official signing ceremony between the two parties and BYD Auto Industry was held yesterday. Upon inking the deal, Mr. Liu Xueliang, General Manager of the Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division at BYD said, “We are excited to partner with Sime Darby Auto Imports to bring Denza to the Malaysian market, marking a significant milestone for BYD in our journey to expand our electric vehicle offerings in Southeast Asia.”

“With Denza, we will be able to offer our customers a better experience through our premium technology and features within the EV industry, he added.”

A brief on Denza vehicles

Founded in 2010, Denza is jointly owned by BYD and Mercedes-Benz. The company's first model, the Denza EV, was introduced in late 2014 and sold only in a few Chinese cities. However, In 2021, Mercedes-Benz started reducing its stake in Denza and transferred all its remaining shares to BYD in September 2024.

The Denza current lineup includes - 

• Denza D9 - A full-size MPV, available in BEV/PHEV
• Denza N7 - A mid-size SUV, available in BEV
• Denza N8 - A mid-size SUV, available in PHEV
• Denza Z9 - A full-size sedan, available in BEV/PHEV
• Denza Z9 GT: A fastback car, available in BEV/PHEV

While the confirmation of which Denza models will be introduced in Malaysia is still pending, the automaker is likely to bring the Denza D9 first. Sighted in Malaysia earlier this year, the D9 is the brand’s first global right-hand drive model. It is available in both pure-electric and plug-in hybrid variants in its home market; however, Malaysia is expected to receive only the electric version.

The base-spec Denza D9 EV is equipped with an FWD electric motor capable of generating a maximum power of 313 PS and a peak torque of 360 Nm. The top-spec version, on the other hand, features an AWD dual motor setup good for making 374 PS and 470 Nm. The MPV comes with a 103 kW lithium ion battery pack, offering an NEDC-rated driving range of up to 600 km on the FWD and 580 km on the AWD model.

“BYD’s mission has always been to make electric vehicles accessible to more people, and with the introduction of Denza, we are offering Malaysian drivers a premium choice that embodies both luxury and sustainability. The rapid adoption of EVs in Malaysia is a testament to the country’s progress in embracing a cleaner, greener future. We are proud to play a part in this transformation, expanding our diverse offerings and innovative solutions that meet the needs of a new segment of drivers,” said Mr. Eagle Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

BYD’s strategic move to introduce a premium sub-brand in Malaysia reveals its big plans to capture a broader market share in the local electric vehicle industry.

Also read: BYD Malaysia vehicles unaffected by China recall, says Sime Darby Motors