China Is Acquiring This $15K EV Quicker Than Toyota Can Manufacture It | Carscoops

      The GAC-Toyota bZ3X electric SUV ranks among the top-selling foreign-branded vehicles in China.

      23 hours ago

      By Chris Chilton

      An electric SUV from Toyota is demonstrating that established automotive brands can still succeed in China.

      Since March, more than 20,000 GAC Toyota bZ3X models have been delivered.

      Additionally, the joint venture’s Camry sedan and Saina minivan are also experiencing strong sales.

      There has been much discussion about the challenges faced by long-standing brands familiar to Western markets in the Chinese market. Companies such as VW, Porsche, and Mercedes have seen significant declines in sales in China, but Toyota has shown that it is still possible to outperform the increasingly competitive domestic brands.

      Also: How Toyota's $15K EV Ended Up Costing $48K In Its First Export Market

      The bZ3X, an electric SUV produced by a joint venture between Toyota and China’s GAC, has been enjoying significant sales since its launch four months ago. GAC Toyota announced on China’s Weibo social media that over 200,000 units have been delivered since March, and the company has also reported receiving more than 30,000 orders.

      A Price That Turns Heads

      How did Toyota manage to succeed where many other legacy brands have struggled? One factor is the bZ3X’s remarkably competitive price. The base price for the electric SUV starts at 109,800 yuan, approximately $15,000 at current exchange rates. This price is less than half that of the GAC Toyota Highlander, which begins at 284,800 yuan ($39,300), and it also undercuts the Camry priced at 171,800 yuan ($23,700).

      However, it should be noted that you won’t get a fully-equipped, long-range EV for $15,000, although versions with Lidar-based ADAS are available. The basic model, the 430 Air, is equipped with a small 50 kWh battery that offers a range of 267 miles (430 km) based on the generous Chinese CTLC cycle, but realistically it probably provides around 200 miles (320 km) of actual range.

      For a slightly higher price, the 430 Air+ comes with additional features but maintains the same battery as the base model. The 58 kWh 520 Pro and Pro+ models increase the range to 323 miles (520 km) while still using the same single 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) electric motor found in the lower models.

      More: Toyota’s New Electric Flagship Sedan Takes A Shot At Tesla Model S

      At the top of the lineup is the 610 Max, which boosts power to 221 hp (224 PS / 165 kW) and promises a range of 379 miles (610 km) from its 68 kWh battery. Even this top variant is priced at only ¥159,800 (~$22,000).

      Momentum Beyond a Single Model

      The bZ3X is not the only model from GAC Toyota that is performing well in China. The joint venture recorded total sales of 364,218 in the first six months of 2025, marking a 5.6 percent increase, making it one of the few similar collaborations to achieve growth.

      In June, Camry sales rose by 66 percent to 20,358 units, according to Ziniu News, and the company’s Saina minivan saw 8,846 deliveries in the first half of the year, reflecting a 16 percent increase.