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When Toyota Meets Huawei: The bZ7 EV. Read more...

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When Toyota Meets Huawei: The bZ7 EV That Redefines the Game

Electric vehicles are not new territory for Toyota, but the Toyota bZ7 marks a bold new chapter — one where the Japanese automotive giant leans into cutting-edge Chinese tech in a way that could have ripple effects around the world, including the UK.

Here’s a deep dive into what makes the bZ7 special, especially the fact that it’s powered by Huawei’s motor and infused with its own HarmonyOS-based cockpit system.

A Glimpse into the bZ7: What Is It, Really?

  • The bZ7 is a pure-electric sedan, developed by GAC-Toyota, the joint venture between Toyota and Guangzhou Automobile Group in China.
  • It was officially revealed at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show, signalling that this is very much a production-intent model.
  • In terms of size, it’s a substantial car: around 5,130 mm long, 1,965 mm wide, and 1,506 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,020 mm.
  • That makes it longer than many executive saloons — comparable in scale to a BMW 5 Series.
  • The bZ7 is quite heavy, reportedly tipping the scales at around 2,275 kg.

The Heart of the Beast: Huawei Motor & Powertrain

This is where things get really interesting.

  • Under the bonnet, the bZ7 uses Huawei’s DriveONE electric drive system — an integrated solution that combines motor, electronics, and reducer.
  • Peak output is about 207 kW, which equates to roughly 278 hp.
  • The claimed top speed is 180 km/h.
  • For its energy source, Toyota is using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, supplied by CALB.
  • There are two battery pack options:
    • 88.13 kWh, giving very generous range estimates.
    • 71.35 kWh, offering a slightly lower but still strong range.
  • For driver-assist capabilities, there’s a LiDAR unit mounted on the roof, hinting at advanced semi-autonomous functions.

The Silicon Inside: Huawei’s HarmonyOS Cockpit

One of the standout features of the bZ7 is how deeply integrated Huawei’s software is:

  • The interior is built around HarmonyOS, the same OS Huawei uses for its devices.
  • The cockpit includes a large floating central touchscreen, a slim digital instrument cluster, and even a head-up display.
  • There’s facial recognition technology, which potentially enables personalised driver profiles.
  • The car has ambient lighting, multiple speakers, and premium materials (such as open-pore wood trim) that give the cabin a more refined feel.
  • Toyota, Huawei, and Tencent are reportedly working together on a next-generation AI voice assistant — one that can recognise individual users and respond in a more contextual, intelligent way.

Smart Home, Smart Car: Xiaomi Integration

  • Beyond Huawei, Toyota is also partnering with Xiaomi. The bZ7 is designed to integrate into Xiaomi’s “Human × Car × Home” smart ecosystem.
  • This means your bZ7 could communicate with your Xiaomi smart home devices: from your car’s screen, you might be able to control lights, air conditioning, or other IoT devices at home.
  • Your smartphone or other Xiaomi devices can connect seamlessly to the car, creating a more unified, tech-rich experience.

Driver Assistance & Safety

  • The LiDAR sensor on the roof isn’t just for show — it supports a sophisticated ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System).
  • The autonomous-driving technology is being provided by Momenta, a Chinese tech company. Their system supports “Navigation on Autopilot” (NOA) on both city roads and highways, pointing to a Level 2+ autonomy.
  • Combined with the HarmonyOS cockpit, the driving experience is not only electric but also highly intelligent and connected.

Market Positioning & Launch

  • The bZ7 is aimed at the premium mid-to-large EV sedan segment in China — this isn’t a budget city car.
  • Pre-orders opened at a major auto show, indicating strong confidence in demand.
  • The expected price point is in a very competitive segment, making it attractive given its advanced tech.
  • It is being built in China by GAC-Toyota, showing Toyota is localising EV development for the Chinese market.
  • As things stand, there’s no confirmed plan to bring the bZ7 to the UK or Europe — for now, it’s very China-centric.

Why This Matters (Especially for UK / European Observers)

  1. Shift Toward Tech-First EVs: Toyota working with Huawei and Xiaomi shows a clear shift: EVs are no longer just about battery power, but also about software, smart ecosystems, and deep tech integration.
  2. Trend-Setting for Legacy Automakers: If Toyota can pull this off, other established carmakers will likely follow, which could mean smarter, more connected EVs in Europe.
  3. R&D Strategy Insight: The bZ7 gives a clear view into Toyota’s strategy in China, and it could act as a testbed for new features that might filter into global models later.
  4. Supply-Chain Implications: By partnering with Chinese tech giants, Toyota is rethinking its supply chains. Rather than just sourcing parts, it’s co-developing core EV systems.
  5. Consumer Relevance: Even if the car never arrives in the UK, UK consumers should watch this space. The trend may influence future Toyota EVs here — in terms of features, design, and value.

Risks & Challenges

  • Geopolitical Risks: Given the sensitivity around Huawei in many markets, global rollout could face regulatory or political barriers.
  • Reliability & Updates: With such deep software integration, long-term reliability, update cycles, and customer support will be critical.
  • Weight & Efficiency: The bZ7 is heavy — that could eat into efficiency or real-world range in markets with different testing cycles than China.
  • The Range Question: The claimed ranges use China’s test cycle (CLTC), which tends to be more optimistic than European or UK standards, so real-world UK range could be lower.

Final Thoughts

The Toyota bZ7 powered by Huawei’s motor isn’t just another EV — it’s a bold statement. Toyota is embracing a future where cars are not only electric, but deeply intelligent, interconnected, and co-engineered with leading tech firms.

While the bZ7 is currently tailored for China, its significance extends far beyond. For UK readers, even if this exact model never arrives on British roads, its existence is a signal: future Toyota EVs — and possibly others — might increasingly look like this: high-tech, software-rich, and deeply integrated with our digital lives.

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