Toyota this week launched sales of the first full electric vehicle it has developed with BYD, China’s largest electrified-vehicle maker.
The Toyota bZ3, a compact electric sedan, has a starting price of 169,800 yuan ($24,421), according to FAW-Toyota, Toyota’s joint venture with China FAW Group.
The bZ3 was developed by BYD Toyota Electric Vehicle Technology, a partnership the Japanese automaker established with BYD in 2020.
It is 4,725 mm long, 1,835 mm wide and 1,475 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm.
The EV is based on Toyota’s platform dedicated to EVs, the e-TNGA architecture, and is powered by iron phosphate batteries and an electric motor that BYD supplies.
It is available with a standard range of 517 kilometers or a long range of 616 km.
The bZ3 is the second bZ-series EV model Toyota is producing in China following the bZ4X crossover.
The bZ4X, also assembled at FAW-Toyota, went on sale in October 2022 at a starting price of 199,800 yuan.
Toyota plans to roll out five bZ-series models in China before 2025.
