Toyota has finally stepped fully into China’s fast-growing electric car market, and it’s doing things differently this time. Instead of working alone, Toyota has partnered with local tech giants Huawei and Xiaomi to build its latest model, the GAC Toyota bZ7.

The bZ7 is a large electric sedan, measuring over five metres long with a very spacious interior — something Chinese buyers value highly. While the design looks familiar to Toyota fans, the real changes are under the skin.

Toyota is using Huawei’s electric motor, which produces 278hp and pushes the car to a top speed of 180km/h. It’s not about being the fastest, but about being reliable and practical for families.

Inside, the car is packed with tech. The HarmonySpace cockpit system from Huawei runs the infotainment, offering smooth controls and smart connectivity. The bZ7 also links directly with Xiaomi’s smart home devices and personal tech, making it very appealing to China’s tech-loving customers.

What makes this car even more important is Toyota’s new strategy in China. Instead of all decisions coming from Japan, local engineers in China are now leading development, designing cars that match the country’s fast-changing market trends.

According to Toyota’s EV chief in China, Yoshiaki Konishi, the bZ7 is the first real product of this new approach. It’s built for China, by China, but still carries Toyota’s global reputation for quality.

The bZ7 could be the start of a big shift, showing how Toyota plans to stay competitive in the world’s biggest EV market.