BYD’s premium Denza brand updates, cuts prices of N7 SUV to entice would-be Tesla Model Y buyers
A mere eight months after initially launching its N7 SUV in China, BYD sub-brand Denza has followed up with a refreshed version with better technology and significantly lower starting prices. Initially targeting potential Model Y customers, the N7’s sales have yet to reach Denza’s expectations, leading to today’s new demand levers and some new subsidies for switching to the updated model.
Denza operates as a premium EV sub-brand under the Build Your Dreams (BYD) umbrella. It was founded in 2010 as a joint venture with Daimler AG, now Mercedes-Benz Group. The German automaker has since reduced its stake in the venture to 10%, giving BYD all the freedom to expand to marque and its portfolio.
Since the early 2022 restructuring, Denza has launched three EV models: The D9 MPV, the N8 crossover, and the N7 SUV. Following the release of the latter two models in 2023, Denza set its sights on expanding from its native China to Europe, officially launching the brand overseas during IAA Mobility in Munich last summer.
Shortly before that, Denza launched the N7 SUV mentioned above in China as a competitive answer to the Tesla Model Y – a global best-seller in the EV world. Although slightly larger than the Y, the N7 arrived similarly priced and had a lot of expectations riding on it to lure some of those would-be Tesla customers in China. That, unfortunately, was not the case.
Since sales began in July 2023, the Denza N7 SUV maxed out monthly sales at 1,800 units last September, followed by three months of barely eclipsing the 1,000 unit mark before dropping below 500 sales per month in 2024. To combat these lackluster sales, BYD and Denza are pulling a few clever demand levers to get the hype train up again and once again aim at Tesla.
Denza already refreshes N7 SUV, cuts MSRPs by 20%
To once again entice consumers to choose the N7 over the Tesla Model Y, Denza launched an updated version of SUV during an event in Shenzen, China, on April 1. The refreshed EV is now available in four separate variants, compared to six on the original launch.
CnEVPost points out that the refreshed N7 now features blade batteries from BYD, in two sizes – a 71.8 kWh pack in the entry-level variant and 91.3 kWh in the other three. That translates to CLTC ranges of 550 km (342 miles), 702 km (436 miles), and 630 km (392 mi) for the two top trims, respectively.
In addition to better technology, Denza has slashed all the starting prices of the N7 SUV, shaving as much as 20% off compared to the predecessors that launched in China last summer. Here’s how those prices now compare:
| Denza NH7 | Pro RWD (550 km) |
Pro RWD (702 km) |
Max AWD | Ultra AWD | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 models | RMB 301,800 ($41,700) | RMB 321,800 ($44,475) |
RMB 319,800 ($44,200) | RMB 339,800 ($46,950) | RMB 349,800 ($48,350) | RMB 379,800 ($52,500) |
| 2024 Refresh | RMB 239,800 ($33,150) | RMB 259,800 ($35,900) | RMB 289,800 ($40,000) | RMB 329,800 ($45,575) | N/A | N/A |
| Savings | RMB 62,000 | RMB 62,000 | RMB 30,000 | RMB 10,000 | N/A | N/A |
For comparison, Tesla just upped the price of the Model Y in China this week, available in three variants starting at prices of RMB 263,900 ($35,475), RMB 304,900 ($42,150), and RMB 368,900 ($51,000), respectively.
Aside from the entry-level Pro variant, the Denza N7 SUV supports simultaneous charging on both its plugs up to 230 kW, garnering 350 km of range in 15 minutes.
Chinese consumers who put RMB 2,000 down to reserve the updated N7 before May 5 will get RMB 10,000 ($1,380) off their final payment, which equates to a discount of RMB 8,000. Current owners of the original Denza N7 SUV can qualify for a subsidy of up to RMB 50,000 ($7,000) if they replace their EV with a newer version by May 31.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Nuclear energy is set for a “renaissance” that will be accelerated by backing from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
That’s according to Yuri Khodjamirian, chief information officer at Tema ETFs, who noted that the Trump administration is “very, very interested in backing this technology.’ However, he also warned investors that developing this energy source is “going to take time.”
New nuclear technology approvals take “10 years to get done,” Khodjamirian said, but added that the nuclear re-emergence will likely be accelerated under the new Trump administration.
Speaking to CNBC’s Silvia Amaro on Tuesday’s “Squawk Box Europe,” Khodjamirian said his investment fund has its eyes on firms with a history of developing nuclear technology, such as U.S.-based BWX Technologies, which builds nuclear reactors for military carriers and submarines.
Khodjamirian said Tema is being “very selective in a new technology called small scale modular reactors.”
Small scale modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with the ability to provide around one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
SMRs take up less physical space compared to conventional reactors and produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity.
“There’s a lot of excitement there, and equally, a lot of loss-making companies that have unproven technologies, and we’re going for companies that have projects that are approved,” Khodjamirian said.
The nuclear energy renaissance is partly driven by a wave of people that are “realizing that it’s a stable, clean source of energy,” the chief investment officer said, adding that he believes that “there is a need for extra investment” in nuclear, alongside green energy sources that are variable in their electricity production.
“Renewables are good. They can be put up to speed quickly, but they require battery storage,” he said.
Trump has moved quickly on his energy agenda since his return to the White House. The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Chris Wright, a fracking executive and a Trump ally, as energy secretary.
Wright is a known nuclear energy supporter, having previously served on the board of advanced reactor company Oklo, as well as having held the position of chief executive at Liberty Energy. The energy firm has since appointed a new CEO following Wright’s confirmation as U.S. secretary of energy.
Digital borders
Khodjamirian is also closely monitoring artificial intelligence volatility, after the emergence of China’s Open AI model DeepSeek sparked concerns over how much money big tech companies will invest in AI.
European nations have voiced security concerns over DeepSeek.
Italy was the first country to block DeepSeek on data protection concerns. France‘s privacy watchdog has expressed concerns and South Korea’s industry ministry has temporarily restricted employee access to the Chinese startup’s AI model.
Taiwan, meanwhile, banned state departments from using the Beijing-based chatbot, wary of potential security threats from Beijing.
The international pushback shows that “no one really knows exactly how to defend digital borders,” according to Khodjamirian.
Global concern will “limit the growth of this model, because it’s coming out of China, but it’s clearly showing you that the West needs to be aware that there’s a lot of technical development,” he said.
“[But] I do think it redraws some of the lines, and it’ll be interesting to see how the U.S. in particular reacts,” he added.
Environment
Here’s our first look at Volkswagen’s cheapest EV, with prices starting at about $20,000
We are finally getting a look at Volkswagen’s answer to BYD and other low-cost Chinese electric cars. Volkswagen previewed its cheapest EV for the first time on Wednesday. It will kick off a new series of entry-level electric vehicles, with starting prices at €20,000, or just over $20,000.
Volkswagen teases its cheapest EV for the first time
At a meeting at its Wolfsburg plant on Wednesday, Volkswagen gave employees a sneak peek at the new model. The auto giant confirmed it will be a part of a new small electric car lineup.
Volkswagen said the new entry-level EV, with a base price of €20,000 ($20,000), “will be attractive for a wide variety” of buyers.
The first model in the new series will be the production version of the ID.2all, which was unveiled in March 2022. Volkswagen said the first ID.2 models will arrive at dealerships in 2026 with a base price of less than €25,000 ($26,000).
CEO Thomas Shafer said at the meeting, “With the conclusion of negotiations in December, we set the largest future plan in Volkswagen’s history in motion.”
The ID.2 and new entry-level EV (likely the ID.1) will be key to Volkswagen’s plans to catch up with EV leaders like BYD and Tesla.
Based on the MEB Entry Platform, the ID.2 is expected to have a range of up to 279 miles (450 km). Volkswagen also teased an SUV version, which will follow in its upcoming entry-level EV lineup.
Volkswagen will introduce the show car for its new entry-level EV. The company plans to reveal the production model in 2027.
Volkswagen is preparing its Wolfsburg plant for the upcoming entry-level models. Shafer stressed that the plant would “remain the heart of the Volkswagen brand in the electric age.” It will also produce the next-gen electric Golf on Volkswagen’s new SSP platform alongside the new T-Roc EV.
For those in the US, don’t get too excited. The new entry-level EV likely won’t make the trip overseas. Shafer described the model as ” an affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe.”
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Mercedes-Benz had a rough EV sales year in 2024 in the US, so it’s hitting the reset button this year. To lure buyers back in, the automaker is already rolling out sweet discounts on its 2025 EVs.
Sales of the EQB (36%), EQE (39%), and EQS (52%) decreased by sizeable margins in 2024, so Mercedes is taking action. Online vehicle research firm CarsDirect reports that Mercedes sent a bulletin to dealerships on February 3 outlining discounts on its 2025 EVs.
Some of the automaker’s largest discounts are on its most expensive EV models, such as the EQS AMG sedan, AMG EQE sedan, and AMG EQE SUV, so if you’re in the market for one of these models, now’s your chance.
The AMG EQS Sedan is available with a discount of $15,000. With the AMG EQS Sedan starting at $148,700, the $15,000 discount amounts to a 10% reduction in the EV’s price tag.
The AMG EQE Sedan is available at a $10,000 discount, and the AMG EQE SUV can be had with an $8,000 discount.
Mercedes is also offering the Maybach EQS 680 SUV – the automaker’s flagship EV – with a discount of $10,500. The Maybach EQS 680 SUV’s MSRP starts at $179,900, so the discount knocks around 6% off the SUV’s price tag. The EQS 580 SUV is also reduced by $10,500, which results in 8% off its price tag.
Mercedes-Benz is also slashing $13,500 off the EQS 450 Sedan and EQS 580 Sedan. The EQS 450 Sedan starts at $108,550 (12% discount), and the EQS 580 Sedan MSRP is $128,500 (11% discount).
CarsDirect says the discounts are offered as the Mercedes Incentive Bonus and are unadvertised dealer cash incentives on select models. These aren’t the only 2025 Mercedes EVs that have discounts, so ask the dealer about other models, but these are the largest discounts CarsDirect found.
Read more: Amazon places its largest-ever order for electric semi trucks
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports10 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway