Rahul Somvanshi
Toyota has stepped up its electric car efforts in China with two new models at the Auto Shanghai 2025 show. The Japanese carmaker revealed its Toyota bZ7 electric sedan and a new Lexus ES that will come in both electric and hybrid versions.
These new cars aim to help Toyota compete better in China’s fast-growing electric car market, where local brands like BYD are currently leading.
Toyota bZ7: Made for China
The bZ7 is Toyota’s new flagship electric sedan built specifically for Chinese buyers. At over five meters long, it’s a large executive car that will compete with other premium electric sedans like the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L.
What’s different about the bZ7 is how Toyota developed it. The company worked with Chinese partners including Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) to combine Toyota’s build quality with Chinese tech expertise.
“We will make products that excite people in China,” said Toyota CEO Koji Sato.
The car will feature advanced technology including smart dashboard systems and improved safety features. Some reports suggest it may use Huawei’s HarmonyOS for its entertainment system and could include lidar sensors for driver assistance.
Toyota plans to start making the bZ7 within a year, adding to their other electric models already sold in China.
Lexus ES: Luxury Electric Car with Global Plans
Unlike the China-only bZ7, the new Lexus ES will be sold worldwide. This model is the first in Lexus’s next generation of electric vehicles.
The electric ES will offer impressive driving ranges – up to 685 km (425 miles) for the front-wheel drive version and 610 km (379 miles) for the all-wheel drive model on China’s testing standards. The all-wheel drive ES 500e can go from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Its fast-charging capability reaches 150 kW, allowing a quick charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
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The ES features innovative “Responsive Hidden Switches” that blend control buttons seamlessly into the interior design, and a “Sensory Concierge” for a personalized driving experience. It has a sleek design with a spacious interior, especially for back-seat passengers.
The car will join other Lexus electric models, with European sales expected to begin in spring 2026.
Toyota’s China Strategy Shift
These launches are part of Toyota’s bigger changes in China. The company is building its own Lexus electric car factory in Shanghai, investing about 14.6 billion yuan ($2.02 billion). This makes Toyota the second major foreign carmaker after Tesla, and the first Japanese manufacturer, to own an electric car factory in China.
This move shows Toyota’s determination to improve its standing in China’s electric car market, where Toyota’s EV market share has historically been low, often reported at less than 1% of its total sales in the region.
Industry experts note that Toyota has been cautious about fully electric cars until recently but is now moving faster. The company’s decision to use local technologies shows it understands that success in China requires adapting to local preferences.
While Toyota’s new models have received positive feedback, particularly for the bZ7’s design, questions remain about whether the company can catch up with established Chinese electric carmakers that already have strong market positions and customer loyalty.
As China continues to lead global electric car adoption, Toyota’s new electric lineup and increased local manufacturing show its commitment to staying competitive in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
