While the West sees EV sales fall, the East is going the opposite way with Toyota
Since its launch on 16 March, the Toyota bZ3X has achieved more than 10,000 deliveries, with an additional 12,000 orders currently pending, according to Peng Baolin, Deputy General Manager of Sales at GAC Toyota. This strong initial performance highlights the brand’s deepening commitment to China’s EV market, which is currently seeing a notable resurgence in sales.
Toyota’s recent presence at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show emphasized this strategic pivot. The company showcased the bZ3X alongside the newly revealed bZ7, both developed under the brnad’s Regional Chief Engineer (RCE) system.
Moreover, this approach gives local engineers in China control over product planning and research and development, ensuring models are tailored from the ground up to meet the needs and preferences of Chinese consumers. This strategy echoes similar moves by other automakers like Nissan, which are also embracing localised development to stay competitive in China’s dynamic EV landscape.
The bZ3X is a compact electric SUV built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform. It measures 4,645mm in length, 1,885mm in width, and 1,625mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750mm. Buyers can choose between a front-wheel drive version delivering 150 kW and a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration combining 80 kW and 150 kW.
Both variants are powered by an LFP battery, offering either 500 or 600km range. Inside, it features a 12.3-inch touchscreen powered by the Snapdragon 8155 chip, a panoramic glass roof, and L2+ assisted driving technology developed with Momenta. To support its long-term EV strategy in China, Toyota has unified its local operations under “One R&D” framework.
On top of that, this consolidation integrates FAW Toyota, GAC Toyota, BYD Toyota, and the Changshu R&D centre. Engineers such as Liu Wenbin (bZ3X) and Ye Zhihui (bZ7) are now leading full vehicle projects, marking a departure from the brand’s previous model of adapting global designs for the local market.
The bZ3X’s development was informed by insights into the daily lives of young Chinese families. Meanwhile, the bZ7 has become the first joint-venture sedan to integrate Huawei’s HarmonyOS. While Toyota is deliberately pacing its rollout, the focus remains on safety, reliability, and long-term customer trust, core values it continues to uphold amid the rapid growth of China’s EV market.
We got all this from CarNewsChina and their full article is linked here. Thank you CarNewsChina for the information and images.
