In Europe, Toyota does things… well… efficiently. But in China, where competition is now so fierce and brand loyalty is no longer guaranteed, Toyota—backed into a corner of efficiency—has been forced to loosen the accountants’ grip and finally get its creative juices flowing. Competition can be a good thing, and Toyota realises it must adapt—or risk fading away in the efficient way possible.

While Toyota is cutting back on EV production in Europe and clinging to the comfort blanket of hybrids, the Chinese market has moved on—ditching hybrids altogether and shifting fully to electric. The GAC-Toyota partnership is beginning a fightback with the release of official images of the upcoming bZ7 pure electric sedan, set to debut later this year.

Measuring over 5.1 meters long with a 3,020 mm wheelbase, the bZ7 is positioned as a medium-to-large fastback sedan featuring a C-shaped headlight design, lidar on the roof, frameless doors, and 21-inch wheels.

Inside, the car is equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel, trapezoidal instrument panel, central control screen, ambient lighting, and wireless phone charging.

It runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS cockpit and electric drive system, producing 207 kW (278 hp) with a top speed of 180 km/h, paired with CALB-Tech lithium iron phosphate batteries (range details pending).

Notably, the bZ7 will be the first vehicle integrated into Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, enabling cross-device connectivity with personal electronics and smart home systems.

It will also support Momenta’s advanced driver-assistance system. The bZ7 joins Toyota’s bZ3X and bZ4X models in the growing bZ lineup.

Is the bZ7 too little, too late? Did Toyota cling to the purse strings of its hybrid technology for far too long? Despite decades of market experience and trend awareness, Toyota has clearly misplayed its China strategy. Only time will tell if the bZ7 is enough to change course.