Cut-price electric cars from Toyota Australia? Big T open to Chinese imports to lower EV cost

---

Toyota Australia has confirmed it’s open to importing vehicles from China to address a clear market for lower-cost EVs.

Speaking at the preview of the fully electric Hilux BEV – a ute priced some $20,000 above its combustion counterpart – newly appointed vice president of sales and marketing John Pappas said there was space for cheaper models in its range.

“The beautiful thing about being a global company like Toyota, when you’re represented in about 190 countries around the world and you’re building at different locations manufacturing wise, is that then you are more open to your sourcing strategy,” he told Chasing Cars.

Asked if there was space for a cheaper EV beneath the recently updated BZ4X (priced from $55,990 before on-road costs), Pappas said “the market was there”, adding “nothing to confirm today, but we’re always looking at those avenues”.

“It’s got to be competitive in our marketplace and meet customer needs…for us to take something like that, it’s not about China, it’s about any sources.”

If embraced, Toyota would be the latest mainstream car manufacturer to pursue cheaper production costs by sourcing electric vehicles from China.

Korean carmakers including Kia with the EV5 and Hyundai with the Elexio have already launched China-sourced EVs in Australia with competitive prices. 

Mazda will do so later this year with the CX-6E and its 6E sedan counterpart, while Nissan is mulling taking its Chinese joint venture products global, too. 

Is a sub-$24,000 electric Corolla Cross sibling possible?

In China, a vast array of Toyota-branded vehicles are offered. Many of which are built via joint ventures with local brands, such as the BZ3X medium SUV in collaboration with GAC.

Available in its home market from a sharp, sub-A$24,000 price point, the BZ3X recently began production for right-hand drive markets including Hong Kong. 

The BZ3x’s 68kWh battery provides a respectable range of 565km, albeit according to the lenient NEDC standard. Notably, prices in the Hong Kong market translate to A$44,000, but high local vehicle taxes are likely key to this inflation.

Even still, if it came in close to $40,000, the BZ3x could perform favourably against the Leapmotor B10, base model Kia EV3, and GAC Aion UT. 

Other China-made Toyota EVs include the Corolla-esque BZ3 sedan, from as little as A$20,000, and the more luxurious Camry-like B27, with the latter sporting up to 700km driving range according to China’s lenient CLTC protocol.