Toyota previews electric car, SUV coupe for China

Toyota revealed two new ones bZ EV . concept in Shanghai Auto Showbut their production versions may be China-only models.

The bZ Sport Crossover and bZ FlexSpace Concept previews the new models that will be available in China in 2024.

Earlier this month, Toyota’s new CEO publicly announced the company’s ambitious EV goal of generate sales of 1.5 million EVs per year by 2026. For context, Toyota sold just 24,466 pure electric vehicles globally in 2022, and Tesla made 1.3 million vehicles last year.

To reach the 1.5 million vehicle mark, Toyota plans to launch 10 new all-electric models by 2026, including one tramlikely based on HiLux.

Two of the 10 new electric vehicles will be China-specific models specifically designed to “fit local needs”. Maybe Sport Crossover and FlexSpace preview these two China-only models.

Aside from the interior and exterior styling, we know very little about these new cars, except for the fact that they have been jointly developed with two of Toyota’s Chinese manufacturing partners.

The bZ sports crossover targeting Gen Z and combining “iconic, dynamic form” with “function [that] will continue to grow after purchase,” presumably through online updates and online store purchases.

Red mesh seats, yellow accents and a curved infotainment touchscreen, presumably OLED, stand out in the concept car’s minimalist interior.

The Sport Crossover was co-developed with BYD and FAW, a Chinese automaker based in Changchun, not too far from the border with North Korea. FAW operates one of two manufacturing joint ventures with Toyota.

A similar development and production arrangement was used for bZ3a China-only EV sedan launching in late 2022. bZ3 uses Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture, but features a lithium iron phosphate battery pack developed by BYD.

At launch, the bZ3 is available with two powertrain options, sporting 136kW or 183kW, and both feature a single-engine rear-wheel drive layout.

With a more upright body, bZ FlexSpace is targeting the elderly who need to carry family and belongings with priority “spacious cabin space”. [and] easy to use.” The concept’s off-roader style markers do a good job of concealing people’s intentions to move.

Like the other concept, FlexSpace has a minimalist interior with a square steering wheel. There’s velvet-like trim on the doors and dashboard, flat front seats, a sliding center console, and a more conventional standalone infotainment touchscreen.

The production version of the FlexSpace will be manufactured by GAC, another Toyota manufacturing partner, based in Guangzhou near Hong Kong.

Unlike the Sport Crossover, the FlexSpace was developed without the help of BYD.