Toyota launches its first smart electric car in China

Toyota, the Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, has launched its first smart electric car in China. The BZ5 is the result of a collaboration between Toyota and FAW Group, a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer.

Toyota’s BZ5 electric car

FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., formerly known as Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., officially launched Toyota’s new BZ5 electric car in China.

Notably, the BZ5 is the 12 millionth vehicle produced by the company and was manufactured through a joint venture between Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation and China’s leading automaker, FAW Group.

The new BZ5 features a panoramic sunroof and a 15.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen. It is also equipped with Toyota’s new intelligent driving assistance system, Toyota Pilot, which offers more than 30 functions—including navigation assistance for both urban and highway driving, as well as automated parking, according to Xinhua News Agency, the official state news agency of the People’s Republic of China.

Toyota is optimistic about this release in the Chinese market, as it anticipates launching the model in other global markets as well. Notably, the company’s plant in China manufactured more than 258,000 units, with a total value of $7.5 billion (54 billion yuan). From January to April 2025, Toyota produced nearly 35,900 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 34%.