Stella Li, the powerhouse behind BYD’s global push, singles out the Denza B5 as her top pick for women who want power, safety, and confidence on the road. Her stance signals a new direction in how carmakers approach female drivers.
Stella Li doesn’t hesitate when asked which car she recommends to women. The executive vice president of BYD, and the driving force behind the brand’s global rise, goes straight to the Denza B5. For her, this 4x4 is more than a car. It’s about control and safety. "When you drive this car, you feel like a queen; you control your destiny," Li says. She makes it clear: the B5 is built to empower.
This isn’t just a marketing line. In a business where women rarely reach the top, Li’s words carry real weight. She points to the B5’s off-road chops and advanced safety tech. The car’s smart systems and tough build are there to protect and boost confidence, especially for young women. "You can play with it. Our software protects people, and the hardware—like the off-road chassis—makes it super safe," Li explains.
The Denza B5 is already being launched on new international markets, including New Zealand, where it debuts alongside the B8, marking BYD's expanding global presence.
Li backs up her confidence with details. The Denza B5, called Fang Cheng Bao 5 in China, sits on a ladder-frame chassis. It has full-time all-wheel drive, electronic differential locks, and, in top versions, a hydraulic suspension that lifts the car higher off the ground. The European model uses a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and two electric motors—one for each axle. Together, they deliver 544 CV. The B5 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Its plug-in hybrid system gives up to 90 km of electric range (WLTP) from a 31.8 kWh LFP battery.
Performance isn’t the end of the story. Li points out the B5’s stability in tough situations, like a tire blowout at high speed. "If you’re driving at 180 km/h and a tire explodes, the chassis control system ensures you can keep going safely. That’s what our 120,000 engineers think about every day—how to make the car safer and easier to use," she says.
Li’s rise stands out in a male-dominated field. She joins a small but growing group of women leading big car brands, like Mary Barra at General Motors and Linda Jackson at Peugeot. For Li, the future of women in the industry is tied to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. Her advice is blunt: "Young women should have great self-confidence, never give up, choose work they love, and dedicate themselves—success will follow." She believes the move to clean, tech-driven cars will open doors for women. The old barriers of dirty workshops and tough environments are fading.
According to independent reviews, the Denza B5 is positioned as a large premium SUV with a strong off-road focus, featuring electronic differential locks and a high total range. Its technical base includes a 1.5-liter turbo engine, two electric motors, and a 31.8 kWh LFP battery, with power and equipment levels varying by market.
The Denza B5 is set to take on big names in Europe. It will go up against the Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender, and Ford Bronco. The B5 is nearly five metres long, with a 2.8-metre wheelbase and classic, squared-off looks. It’s a serious player in the premium SUV game. The mix of tough engineering and smart tech is aimed at drivers who want both adventure and peace of mind.
The electric SUV race is heating up. BYD’s approach stands apart from brands scrambling to recover, as seen in the recent Geely update. Li’s strategy is simple. She leads with confidence and targets drivers often ignored by old-school carmakers.
Stella Li’s push for the Denza B5 is more than a sales pitch. It’s a sign that the car world is finally listening to women. Her message is clear. Safety and technology aren’t extras for women—they’re must-haves for everyone. As BYD moves deeper into Europe, the industry should watch the people shaping its future from the inside.
