Zhao Changjiang, former head of sales for BYD’s (HKG: 1211) premium brand Denza, has resigned after being reassigned in July to BYD’s other sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao.
An internal BYD memo circulating on Chinese social media yesterday revealed that Zhao submitted his resignation as general manager of Fang Cheng Bao’s direct sales division for personal reasons, with the resignation processed.
Multiple automotive bloggers who have long tracked BYD subsequently shared this information on Weibo. Some bloggers suggested Zhao may join Luxeed, the new brand jointly developed by Chery (HKG: 9973) and Huawei.
Earlier today, local media outlet Tencent News cited Zhao’s response in a report as saying he would be taking a temporary break.
Born in 1986, Zhao joined BYD immediately after graduating from university in 2009. He rose from an ordinary sales manager to become marketing director for BYD’s Beijing-Tianjin region.
In 2017, at age 31, Zhao became BYD’s youngest-ever general manager of one of its sales companies.
BYD relaunched the Denza brand in mid-2022, with Zhao serving as its sales chief overseeing channel development and marketing efforts.
Denza originated as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz), which fully exited the partnership in September 2024.
Denza unveiled the D9 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) on May 16, 2022, as the brand’s first model under its renewed strategy, with its official market launch occurring on August 23, 2022.
Despite subsequent new car launches including the N7, N8, Z9, and N9, the D9 remains Denza’s primary sales driver.
In July, Zhao swapped roles with Li Hui, general manager of Fang Cheng Bao’s direct sales division, departing his four-year position as general manager of Denza’s sales division.
