Toyota to introduce ten new electrified vehicles in China by 2020
April 25, 2018
Toyota will introduce electric powered versions of its C-HR/IZOA vehicles in China
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it plans to introduce ten new electrified vehicles in China by the end of 2020. The automaker also stated it plans to begin producing certain models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in China, marking Toyota’s first overseas production of PHEVs.
Toyota will begin marketing new PHEV versions of its Corolla and Levin passenger cars in 2019 and a battery electric vehicle (BEV) model based on its C-HR/IZOA compact SUV in 2020. By further promoting its local production of electric motors (powertrain components), batteries, inverters, and other electrified-vehicle core technologies, Toyota aims to further accelerate its China-based vehicle electrification efforts.
With an aim to achieve locally based vehicle electrification, Toyota has been working with its Chinese partners and members of the Toyota Group to build a local production base for key components. Efforts have included the launch in 2015 of production of transaxles for hybrid electric vehicles at Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
Going forward, Toyota intends to respond to further expected growth in demand for electrified vehicles through such measures as increasing the annual production capacity for nickel-metal hydride battery modules at Sinogy Toyota Automotive Energy System Co., Ltd. and Corun PEVE Automotive Battery Co., Ltd. to 220,000 units in 2020.
Toyota is also strengthening its local R&D and production bases. In 2020, it plans to open a new battery testing facility at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd. (TMEC), which is Toyota’s R&D centre in China, for evaluating battery packs for electrified vehicles.
The company added that it is also exploring potential applications for its fuel cell technology in China. Last year, it began a three-year verification-test program in China that uses Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle and it has expanded the scope of feasibility studies to include commercial vehicles such as buses.
“We are steadily and confidently advancing all aspects of our environmental strategy in China, the world’s most-advanced country in electrification,” stated Toyota Senior Managing Officer and Chief Executive Officer, China Region, Kazuhiro Kobayashi.
