Toyota and BYD Collaborate on a New EV Sedan in China

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD and Toyota are collaborating on a new EV sedan called the Toyota bZ3. In what looks like the production version of the Toyota bz SDN concept unveiled in 2021, the upcoming EV will run on BYD's FinDreams Battery and electric motors. It will sit on Toyota's new e-TNGA pure electric platform.

The rear-wheel drive bZ3 will be produced by FAW Toyota, the joint venture manufacturing plant of Toyota and FAW, based on information released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. There will be two power output options - 135kW (184 ps) and 180 kW (245 ps). A lithium iron phosphate battery pack will make up the power supply of the electric motors.

The bZ3's design language is different from what Toyota currently offers. It features black claddings on the wheel arches, which reminds us of Toyota's first EV model, the bZ4X. The long light bar at the rear is also similar to BYD's recent designs. 

Given its dedicated EV platform, the sedan's dimensions show a length of 4,725 mm, a width of 1,835 mm, a height of 1,475 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,880 mm. These numbers make the bZ3  similar to a Corolla Altis while having a wheelbase longer than the current Camry's. The Tesla Model3 seems comparable in size and product positioning, so it will likely be the bZ3's direct competitor. 

Toyota and BYD's partnership was announced back in July 2019, and it bore a joint venture in R&D between the two companies. BYD also recently launched its ATTO4 sedan. Also known as the BYD Seal, the similarities between this model and the upcoming Toyota bZ3 seems more than just coincidental.

Do you think Toyota's collaboration with BYD will help the Japanese brand catch up to the EV party?