This week, the first Toyota bZ3 electric vehicle fueled by BYD technology rolled off the assembly line in China.
The co-developed Toyota-FAW bZ3 EV has a starting price of slightly more than $27,000 (189,800 RMB), and deliveries are expected to begin soon.
Toyota officially announced the bZ3 EV, its second model from its bZ (Beyond Zero) product line of fully electric vehicles, in October 2022.
Toyota and BYD collaboration
The BYD Toyota EV Technology joint venture with FAW Toyota (a joint venture between FAW Group and Toyota) and BYD developed the bZ3 electric sedan.
The relationship between one of the most prominent EV manufacturers (BYD) and the largest car manufacturer (Toyota), which has slipped behind in the race to bring fully electric vehicles, is intriguing.
Toyota (via FAW-Toyota) constructs the bZ3 EV on the same e-TNGA platform as its bZ4x electric SUV.
Still, BYD manufactures the lithium-ion LFP battery, motor, and electric control system, resulting in the highest range of over 600 km (about 372 miles).
The interior of the bZ3 differs significantly from that of the bZ4X, with a Digitial Island system that integrates a large vertical center screen into a tray-type console.
According to CarNewsChina, the first Toyota-BYD co-developed bZ3 has completed assembly and is ready for delivery.
Toyota bZ3 EV is now available in China
According to the report, the Toyota bZ3 is now available for pre-order in China.
The first 5,000 buyers can reserve their spot before the EV launches on May 31 for 2,000 RMB ($290) and receive a credit of 5,000 RMB ($725).
According to FAW-Toyota, repeat buyers are qualified for an 8,000 RMB ($1,160) replacement credit or a 6,00 RMB ($870) additional purchase credit.
First-time buyers are eligible for several benefits, including ten years of free maintenance or 200,000 kilometers (about 124,000 miles), charging incentives, and roadside assistance.
Toyota recently reduced the price of its first electric vehicle, the bZ4, in China by 15% ($4,300), with a new starting price of less than $25,000 to better compete in the region.
See Also
- EV sales in Australia & New Zealand
- Auto Expo 2023: When, where, and what to expect
- Toyota and Oncor to explore EV technology with new V2G pilot program
- BYD to begin selling electric vehicles in Japan by early 2023
- Toyota bZ3 all-electric sedan launched in China
