Daimler, BYD Unveil EV for China

Daimler AG and partner BYD Auto Co. Ltd. are using this week's Beijing auto show to publicly introduce the Denza, an electric car scheduled to go on sale in China in September.

The sedan was unveiled in concept form at the Beijing show two years ago. The production version has conventional doors rather than the rear-hinged rear doors of the concept.

The 369,000-yuan ($59,500) four-seater initially will be offered in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin. Government incentives could reduce the actual sale price by about one-third.

The Densa's 47.5-kWh battery can propel the vehicle about 155 miles (250 km) per charge and help it reach a top speed of about 90 mph (150 kph). The car's 86-kW motor produce 214 lb-ft of torque.

Features include 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, keyless entry, cruise control, electrically adjusted front seats, 8-inch touchscreen, antilock brakes, antiskid control, six airbags and a camera mounted on the passenger side exterior mirror.

The partners will market the car through their BYD Daimler New Technology Co. The four-year-old 50:50 venture is based in Shenzhen.