Since the D9's official launch, the model has received more than 30,000 orders with non-refundable deposits, Denza said.

(Image credit: Denza)

Denza, the joint venture between and the Mercedes-Benz Group, which is majority owned by BYD, has officially started deliveries of the D9 MPV, after the original plan suffered some delays.

Denza today announced that deliveries of the D9 have started in China on its official WeChat account, and shared some pictures of the delivery events.

The delivery is just the beginning, and Denza will continue to provide owners with full lifecycle vehicle service, the company said.

Since the D9's official launch, the model has received more than 30,000 orders with non-refundable deposits, Denza said.

The company said it is accelerating its online and offline channels, with 174 stores now open in 61 cities.

The Denza D9 was officially launched on August 23, and the first production car rolled off the production line on October 21.

The model is available in two power options, including a hybrid version using BYD's DM-i system and an all-electric version.

Its hybrid version is offered in four options with a price range of RMB 329,800 ($45,410) to 439,800. The all-electric version of the Denza D9 is offered in three options with a price range of RMB 389,800 to RMB 459,800.

With a length, width and height of 5,250 mm, 1,960 mm and 1,920 mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 3,110 mm, the model is designed to provide local consumers with a new energy MPV option.

MPVs are a niche market in the Chinese passenger car market, previously dominated by models including the Buick GL8 and Toyota Alphard.

In addition to the Denza, Dongfeng Motor's Voyah brand has made its MPV model Voyah Dreamer officially available in China on May 7, Geely's has also unveiled the Zeekr 009 MPV, and is reportedly already building an MPV model.

Back to Denza, in February 2011, BYD and Daimler established a joint venture company, Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co Ltd, each holding 50 percent of the equity, which is the first Sino-foreign joint venture in China and focused on NEVs.

On January 24 this year, BYD said it signed an equity transfer agreement with Daimler for Denza, which will increase BYD's stake in the company to 90 percent and reduce Daimler's stake to 10 percent. In February 2022, Daimler AG was rebranded as Mercedes-Benz Group.

Denza had planned to start delivering the D9 at the end of August, but the plan was delayed by the Covid outbreak and problems with European suppliers.