Toyota has set the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market abuzz with the launch of its latest all-electric SUV, the bZ3X, under its bZ brand.
With a highly competitive starting price of 109,800 yuan ($15,100 USD), the bZ3X aims to strengthen Toyota’s position in China’s booming EV sector, which is currently led by domestic manufacturers.
The overwhelming response to the launch was evident as 10,000 orders flooded in within the first hour, even causing Toyota’s servers to crash.
Strategic Partnership and Localized Production
The bZ3X SUV is a product of Toyota’s joint venture with GAC, utilizing the same architecture as the GAC Aion V. With 65% of its components sourced from local suppliers and only 1% of parts imported, Toyota underscores its commitment to localization. This strategy not only ensures cost efficiency but also strengthens its supply chain integration within China.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Impressive Performance
To counter criticism of its EVs lagging in technology, Toyota has equipped the bZ3X with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), developed in collaboration with Momenta. The inclusion of lidar sensors allows for Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) functionality, a major breakthrough as it eliminates reliance on HD maps.
The bZ3X is powered by a single electric motor, available in 150 kW and 165 kW variants, and achieves a top speed of 160 km/h. Buyers can choose from three lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options, offering ranges of 430 km, 520 km, and 610 km under China’s CLTC testing standards.
Inside, the SUV features a Tesla-inspired minimalist cabin with a 14.6-inch touchscreen display. However, the standard model runs on an older Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, while the lidar-equipped version boasts the Nvidia Orin X chip, delivering 254 TOPS of computing power for enhanced autonomous driving capabilities.
Market Impact and Toyota’s Future in China
Following the launches of the bZ4X SUV and bZ3 sedan, Toyota is optimistic about the bZ3X’s potential in China. While the bZ4X faced challenges, the bZ3 sedan has gained traction, reflecting a growing acceptance of Toyota’s EVs.
To attract early buyers, Toyota is offering a limited-time discount of 5,000 yuan ($700 USD). Though currently exclusive to China, the bZ3X could significantly impact the world’s largest EV market, marking a crucial step in Toyota’s electrification strategy.