Luxury or Leverage? Decoding BYD’s European Markup episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 16, 2026 · 35 MIN

Luxury or Leverage? Decoding BYD’s European Markup

from Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles · host 918Digital

This episode of Kilowatt dives into the staggering engineering and questionable economics of BYD’s luxury powerhouse, the Denza Z9 GT. Originally born from a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, the Denza brand is now striking out on its own with a 1,140-horsepower "shooting brake" that boasts some of the most advanced chassis tech on the planet. We explore its incredible ability to "crab walk" and pivot, its massive 1.5-megawatt charging capability, and why it might just be the fastest-charging EV in the world. However, the real conversation starts with the sticker shock: why does a car that costs roughly $40,000 in China command a staggering $134,000 price tag in Europe? We break down the impact of EU tariffs, shipping costs, and BYD’s aggressive strategy to pivot from a budget brand to a premium Porsche competitor. Plus, a special thank you to David for joining our Patreon family. Support the Show Other Podcasts: Beyond the Post YouTube Beyond the Post Podcast Shuffle Playlist 918Digital Website News Links: DTNS Episode EU Sets Final Tariffs on China-Made Electric Vehicle Imports The $100,000 Markup: Why BYD’s $40k EV Costs $134k in Europe Meet the BYD Denza Z9 GT: The Fastest-Charging Car in the World *Show Art Created By Gemini Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 16, 2026

Embed this episode

This episode examines the high-stakes arrival of the 1,140-horsepower Denza Z9 GT and the massive price discrepancy between its Chinese and European launches. We break down the cutting-edge tech and heavy tariffs that see this BYD luxury brand attempting to out-muscle established giants like the Porsche Taycan.

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

Luxury or Leverage? Decoding BYD’s European Markup

0:00 35:18

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles?

This episode is 35 minutes long.

When was this Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles episode published?

This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

Can I download this Kilowatt: A Podcast about Electric Vehicles episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!