Toyota turns to Huawei and Xiaomi for new bZ7 electric sedan in China

Toyota watched from the sidelines for a very long time as the electric car market in China exploded with local brands. Now, the Japanese automotive giant is making a move, but not by doubling down on its own technology.

Instead, the company is embracing a new philosophy: if you want to win in China, partner with China's best. The upcoming GAC Toyota bZ7 electric sedan is an example of this new strategy, a large car built with the help of tech powerhouses Huawei and Xiaomi.

GAC Toyota, the company's joint venture in the region, released the first official images of the bZ7. This isn't a small electric car designed for tight city streets. The bZ7 is a large sedan, measuring 202 inches long, 77.4 inches wide, and 59.1 inches tall. With a long wheelbase of 118.9 inches, the car is designed to offer a spacious and comfortable interior, a key selling point for consumers in the Chinese market.

But underneath a somewhat familiar design, the bZ7 reveals just how different Toyota's approach is this time. Instead of an in-house motor, the sedan will be powered by hardware supplied by Huawei.

Regulatory filings show this motor will produce a peak output of 207 kW - that's about 278 horsepower. This is enough to get the 4,641 lb EV to a top speed of 112 mph. Sure, these numbers won't break any performance records, but they show a focus on providing solid, dependable power for a large family vehicle.

The biggest change is happening inside the cabin. The battle for today's electric car buyers is often won on the infotainment screen. Recognizing this, Toyota has stepped back and let local experts take the lead. The bZ7 will feature Huawei's HarmonySpace cockpit, an advanced infotainment and vehicle control system known for its smooth interface and connectivity.

The car will as well integrate with Xiaomi's smart ecosystem, allowing the bZ7 to seamlessly connect with a wide range of smart home devices and personal electronics. This feature is highly valued by tech-savvy Chinese customers.

This collaboration is a fundamental change in how Toyota operates in the world's largest market for electric vehicles. Before, major decisions for new models were made at the company's headquarters in Japan. That old way of thinking is now out the door.

At a recent tech event, Yoshiaki Konishi, the head of Toyota's EV research and development in China, confirmed that decision-making power for new models is officially shifting from Japan to the local Chinese team. Toyota is implementing a system that puts local engineers with deep knowledge of the Chinese market in charge of developing new cars, facelifts, and next-generation models.

Mr. Konishi stated that to succeed in China's rapidly changing environment, the company must conduct independent local research and development that is separate from its global vehicle programs, and the new Toyota bZ7 is the first fruit of this new, localized approach.

Via