Toyota Motor launched a series of measures through its official website today to accelerate the development of intelligence and electrification in China to enhance the competitiveness of the Chinese market.
▲ Picture source Toyota Motor Official Website
Toyota’s series of initiatives include:
- Toyota Motor China’s largest research and development base – Toyota Motor Research and Development Center (China) Co., Ltd. will be renamed Toyota Intelligent Electric Vehicle Research and Development Center (China) Co., Ltd. (IEM by TOYOTA) from August 1.
- Dispatch engineers from three existing joint venture R&D companies in China (FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., BYD Toyota Electric Vehicle Technology Co., Ltd.) to IEM-led development projects.
- In terms of electrification, we will focus on multiple approaches to achieve carbon neutrality and strengthen the development of localized electric vehicles (including BEV, PHEV, HEV, and FCEV).
- In terms of intelligence, accelerate the localized design and development of smart cockpits, and bring users a better driving experience through space design and AI application, as well as automatic driving and advanced safety functions that are more suitable for China’s actual conditions.
- Whether it is electrification or smart technology, Toyota will strive to significantly reduce manufacturing costs and enhance competitiveness through three measures: “cultivating local suppliers”, “reviewing component design”, and “reforming manufacturing technology”.
Tatsuro Ueda, General Manager of Toyota China Division, said: “The Chinese market is developing at an unprecedented speed. In order to survive in the Chinese market, Toyota will work together as a whole to change the way we work and the way we think about IEM. We will meet the challenge, promote localized development, quickly develop and provide competitive products that satisfy Chinese consumers, these efforts will not only give back to the Chinese market but also give back to the world.”
It was previously reported that Toyota’s new car sales in the Chinese market in June were 174,500, a year-on-year decrease of 12.8%, which was the first negative growth in three months. In addition, Toyota sold 879,400 new vehicles in China from January to June, a year-on-year decrease of 2.8%.
