BIZ BUZZ: Denza hits the ground running

When premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Denza formally rolls out in the Philippine market in late February, it will present Filipinos with not one, not two, but three models.

China’s BYD Group, which manages Denza globally, announced last week that Filipino buyers will get to select between three models: the D9, B8 and B5. The reveal came during a preview of Denza’s store in Makati, where all three units were put on display.

This lineup makes the Philippines stand out in Denza’s Southeast Asian expansion. While Malaysia and Indonesia currently carry just a single Denza model each—the D9—Filipino consumers will have a broader range to choose from.

The D9 is a seven-seat plug-in hybrid minivan seen as a rival to the Toyota Alphard and Kia Carnival Turbo Hybrid. Meanwhile, the B8 and the B5 are both premium plug-in hybrid SUVs.

Denza’s Makati store is operated by Harmony New Energy Auto Service Ltd. Corp., while Ayala-led ACMobility will handle Denza’s stores in Alabang and Cebu. A Greenhills outlet in San Juan will be managed by E-Vantage Motors Inc.

BYD Philippines Corp. will serve as the brand’s sole distributor in the Philippines.

For Adam Hu, country head of Denza and BYD in the Philippines, the decision to launch in the Philippines reflects shifting tastes in the local auto market.

“The Philippine market is advancing rapidly and is ready for a new expression of premium,” Hu said.