Like many legacy automakers, Toyota is struggling to maintain its foothold in China as domestic giants like BYD dominate the EV market. While Toyota currently offers just one all-electric vehicle globally, the bZ4X SUV, the company is ramping up its efforts in China by expanding its lineup of EVs to stay competitive in this crucial market.
In this row Toyota has recently unveiled its new all-electric model at the Guangzhou Auto Show this week. The new EV is the Toyota b27 concept that is a sleek sedan that will likely use BYD batteries and motors in China, expected to go on sale next year.
Toyota has updated the design theme for its new EV that is evident in the sleek, extended silhouette. It has slim LED headlights and a light bar across the front, and bZ7 also inherits some design elements from the updated Prius models.
At first appearance it is seen that the eclectic sedan closely resembles the Comfortable Space Concept that has been shown at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto show. According to CarNewsChina, Toyota’s Chinese joint venture, GAC Toyota will produce the new EV.
Currently GAC Toyota sells the bZ4X(Bozhi 4X) and bZ3X, also the other Toyota JV partner in China like FAW Toyota offers the bZ3 and BZ4X. It is also said that after introducing it at the Guangzhou Auto Show, FAW will launch the bZ3C in the next few months.
The bZ3 sedan uses both BYD Blade batteries and electric motors that are also expected to feature in Toyota’s bZ7. Toyota’s new electric sedan will rival top-selling models in China, such as the BYD Han and Xiaomi SU7.
