Toyota has fallen behind many of its legacy rivals in Western EV markets, but in China, it has been unveiling far more compelling zero-emission models like the bZ5 and bZ3 sedan. Its latest is the bZ7, a sleek full-size flagship sedan developed with joint-venture partner GAC and sized to go up against the Tesla Model S.

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Previewed earlier this year in pre-production form and now shown in its final guise, the bZ7 is a low-slung sedan set to launch in China before the end of 2025. While we wouldn’t go as far as to call it beautiful, or even particularly attractive, its proportions and shape are way more appealing than the original bZ4X, which has since received a simpler name.

Sharp Lines, Long Body

Dominating the front fascia are lobster claw-shaped headlights and a light bar, positioned above a small blacked-out lower grille section. A flowing roofline stretches to a compact rear decklid, where interconnected taillights emphasize the car’s width. Curved door skins, flush handles, and plenty of surface sculpting finish off the look.

According to fresh data, the bZ7 measures 5,130 mm (201.9 in) long, 1,965 mm (77.3 in) wide, and 1,506 mm (59.2 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 3,020 mm (118.9 in). Those dimensions put it right in the crosshairs of the Tesla Model S, BYD Han L, and BMW i5.

The Powertrain

When previewed back in April at the Shanghai Auto Show, we didn’t know what would power the model. However, information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed it will hit the market with a lithium-iron phosphate battery from CALB-Tech that powers a single electric motor with 278 hp. We’ll have to wait a little longer until we get the full technical details, including battery capacity and driving range.

A Tech Fest

The powertrain itself has been sourced from Huawei and combines the motor, MCU, and inverter into a single integrated unit. The bZ7 also uses Huawei’s HarmonyOS cockpit and infotainment system.

Not only has Toyota worked with Huawei, but the new EV will also feature Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem, connecting the car to personal devices and smart home products from the technology giant. As such, owners will be able to control Xiaomi devices like home A/C units from the car itself.

Read: Toyota’s Flagship EV Will Be Powered By Huawei And Xiaomi Tech

More details, including pricing, are expected to be announced shortly before the electric flagship’s debut in China’s competitive EV market toward the end of the year. Toyota hasn’t confirmed plans beyond China, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the bZ7 reached select markets where large sedans still have an audience.

Chinese automakers are no longer quietly edging into Europe, they’re making a full-scale push that is chipping away at local brands’ sales. The latest entrant is GAC, arriving with an ambitious target of selling more than 50,000 vehicles a year in Europe by 2027.

At the Munich motor show, the company displayed the GAC Aion UT compact hatchback and the GAC Aion V midsize SUV. Its European lineup will also feature the fully electric GAC Aion Y crossover along with the more premium Hyptec HT coupe-SUV. Every model is electric for now, though a plug-in hybrid will join the portfolio later.

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The president of GAC International, Wei Haigang, told CNBC at the Munich show that Europe is one of the company’s five key markets. “It is a strategic market,” he said, adding that GAC hopes the region will become a major part of its overseas business in the years ahead.

Growth by the Numbers

Haigang projected sales of 3,000 GAC cars in Europe this year, climbing to 15,000 in 2026 and more than 50,000 by 2027. That would represent a seventeenfold increase in just two years, yet the figure still pales next to the company’s domestic performance. In 2024, GAC sold 127,000 vehicles in overseas markets, contributing to global sales of 2,003,058 units.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

To ease the impact of tariffs on Chinese imports, GAC is weighing the idea of producing cars within Europe. Haigang emphasized hopes for progress in trade negotiations but said the company is also preparing to localize manufacturing to better serve European customers.

“We are hoping the Chinese government and the European Union can negotiate further to bring the tariffs down,” Haigang said. “In the future, we hope to accelerate the manufacturing localization. So that we can build up manufacturing capability in Europe, to better serve the European markets.”

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Industry data underscores how quickly Chinese brands are gaining ground. According to Jato Dynamics, their combined market share in Europe nearly doubled in the first half of 2025 to 5.1 percent, equal to 347,135 units. BYD leads with 70,500 sales, while other names such as Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor, and Xpeng are posting sharp growth as well.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink