The new bZ7 electric sedan will be built on a new architecture developed by GAC Toyota in China
- Toyota has announced more details about its future plans in the Chinese market.
- Its joint venture with GAC is developing two platforms for new energy vehicles.
- The automaker will increase AI use and expand partnerships with local tech firms.
At the 2025 Toyota Technology Day in China, there was no shortage of promises and future-focused tech talk. While much of the spotlight was on product updates, the real takeaway was Toyota’s push to inject artificial intelligence and advanced electrification into its lineup, especially in partnership with local tech giants.
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Among the headline announcements, next-generation versions of the Highlander and Sienna will feature extended-range electric powertrains. Alongside these updates, Toyota and its local joint venture partner GAC laid out plans for two new energy vehicle platforms and confirmed strategic collaborations with Chinese heavyweights like Huawei and Xiaomi.
Two New EV Platforms in the Pipeline
Starting with the new platforms, they are designed for “new energy vehicles”, meaning they will be compatible with fully electric, range-extender, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. One platform is optimized for compact to mid-size vehicles under 5 meters long (196.9 inches), while the other is designed for larger vehicles up to 5.3 meters (208.7 inches).
Toyota’s upcoming bZ7 will be the first model to use the larger of the two new platforms. Serving as the brand’s electric flagship in China, depending on pricing, it could positioned as an affordable rival to the similarly sized Tesla Model S. Although the bZ7 was first previewed in April 2025, its launch in the Chinese market is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
This model also marks a major shift in Toyota’s tech strategy. The fully electric bZ7 will be the first to feature the Huawei DriveONE powertrain, which combines the motor, MCU, and inverter into a single integrated unit. Inside, it gets the Huawei Hongmeng cockpit system, offering an updated suite of apps and connectivity options. It will also come equipped with a LiDAR sensor, suggesting it’s being prepped for advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
AI, ADAS, and the “Caring Butler” Future
Besides the new platforms that are being developed in China, GAC Toyota is working on a new electronic architecture that will support the next generation of ADAS and advanced intelligent cockpits. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a growing role in how these systems evolve.
According to Chinese outlet Sohu, GAC believes the in-car voice assistant will become a “caring butler” by 2026–2027, and by 2028, it’s expected to mature into a “symbiotic partner” capable of intuitively responding to user needs, even claiming to “read people’s hearts.”
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The Japanese automaker will also collaborate with Xiaomi for in-vehicle technology, such as audio, and a clever intercommunication system between front and rear occupants using the built-in screens and cameras.
Digital Chassis and Broader AI Integration
Looking further ahead, upcoming GAC Toyota models will feature an AI-powered “intelligent digital chassis.” This system will be able to read road conditions in real time, adjusting suspension characteristics through electromagnetic shock absorbers and dual-chamber air suspension systems, which sounds similar to what Tesla is offering on higher end models.
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GAC Toyota also envisions an AI ecosystem extending beyond vehicles. The company plans to integrate AI into areas like research and development, manufacturing, quality inspection, and logistics. What’s less clear is whether any of these innovations will make their way into Toyota’s global product lines, or if they’ll remain exclusive to the Chinese market.
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