JKCG is set to debut Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza in Sri Lanka and the lineup, to be unveiled in Colombo today, will feature three models, the Denza D9, B5, and B8, with the latter two being introduced to a South Asian market for the first time.
Speaking at BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen, BYD Asia-Pacific General Manager Liu Xueliang expressed the company’s growing relationship with Sri Lanka, where its presence has expanded rapidly over the past year. “We have been very actively thinking as a company with great technology, how we can contribute to Sri Lanka to help to grow its great economy.”
Xueliang said BYD has delivered over 7,000 vehicles to Sri Lanka within the past six months, stressing what he described as “the great favor and love from Sri Lankan customers.”
He added that the company’s focus from the outset has been on training local technical staff and developing a sound after-sales network to support the growing customer base. “Showrooms are very important, but what’s more important is the service centers,” he noted.
The upcoming launch of Denza represents BYD’s next step in strengthening its footprint in the island’s fast-evolving EV market. The brand, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, positions itself in the luxury segment with an emphasis on hybrid and electric performance vehicles.
The Denza B5, designed as a luxury off-road SUV, combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with dual-motor intelligent all-wheel drive, producing 570 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque. The plug-in hybrid setup includes BYD’s 31.8 kWh Blade battery, offering a 100 km pure-electric range and an extended driving capability through its range-extender system.
The larger B8 comes in six- and seven-seat configurations, equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 36.8 kWh Blade battery. The model delivers 603 horsepower, 760 Nm of torque, and a 115 km electric-only range, with a total driving range of over 1,000 km. Both vehicles feature advanced suspension systems, high-strength steel chassis, and premium interiors, including Nappa leather seats, massage and ventilation functions, and Devialet audio systems.
According to Xueliang, the company continued monitoring local conditions and remained ready to re-enter when the market matured. “Now we see that everything is ready,” he said. “We have the right partners, the right products, and the right timing.”
BYD’s Sri Lanka expansion follows the success of its electric and plug-in hybrid models in other Asian markets such as Singapore and Nepal, where the company has become a leading EV brand.