The way things are going with the other Japanese brands, we will likely soon see Lexus reskin Chinese cars like Mazda did with Changan in order to stay competitive in the EV space. We're already seeing that sort of involvement with GAC in Toyota's Chinese offerings like the BZ7 which is leagues ahead of any EV currently sold by Toyota themselves. With Lexus now being more specifically China-focused like what we see with the ES and the opening of the new EV factory there, it's only matter of time when this will happen, not if. All Lexus can hope to do now is maintain a controlling stake in such a joint venture over GAC et. al.
Official Lexus Future Product & Powertrain Megathread
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DarkSpace6383
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I think Toyota will eventually compete properly, and establish their own Chinese operations. However, this will take some time, and will probably not be under the Lexus badge. They could either just create a brand new brand for China or just have it be Toyota there. I don't see Lexus staying there though.
Lexus Shanghai is 100% owned by Toyota similar to the Tesla arrangement and does its own R&D. It's unrelated to GAC or FAW or BYD. On the spectrum of "Toyota-ness" it will be between a Japan-made RZ450e and a GAC-made bZ7, and in fact resembles the US-made TZ (battery sourced from LGChem).
The BZ7 is very different from previous "rebadges" due to the multi-year decline of GAC's homegrown brands with no sight of recovery. GAC has basically lost the ability to conduct independent R&D that they are now dependent on its JV partners (i.e. Honda and Toyota) for survival. It's the complete opposite of the BYD-Toyota arrangement where Toyota is at the mercy of BYD for what it gets to sell on the market, and BYD determines how cheaply Toyota can price the rebadged cars.
Vertically integrated (manufactured by Toyota, supplied by Toyota-owned/JV companies): RZ made in the Motomachi plant;
Partial OEM (manufactured by Toyota, supplied by external companies): TZ made in North Carolina, or BZ4X made in Tianjin, or Lexus made in Shanghai;
Full OEM (outsourced manufacturing and supplier, designed by Toyota): BZ7
Partial ODM (heavily customized ODM solution exclusive to Toyota): BZ3X/BZ5, Zupra/86
Full ODM (rebadge with cosmetic modifications): BZ3
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It’ll be made in Japan unlike the Highlander.
DarkSpace6383
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This is interesting. Wonder if Toyota acquires GAC in the future
What? GAC is state owned.
Kelvin2020
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Kelvin2020
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トヨタ、２０２７年半ば発売予定だった次世代ＥＶの開発を中止へ…全固体電池など先端技術の開発は継続
【読売新聞】 トヨタ自動車が、２０２７年半ばに発売を予定していた次世代の電気自動車（ＥＶ）の開発を中止することが分かった。世界的なＥＶ需要の鈍化が影響しているものとみられる。次世代ＥＶ向けの全固体電池や、アルミ部品を一体成形する「ギ
Toyota has reportedly canceled the development of the Lexus LF-ZC, the next-generation EV that was originally planned for launch in mid-2027.
* The decision is believed to be linked to the slowing global demand for electric vehicles.
* The LF-ZC was first unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show as Lexus’ vision for its future EV lineup.
* The vehicle attracted attention because it targeted a driving range of around 1,000 km, roughly double that of many EVs at the time.
* The project was originally scheduled for a 2026 launch, but was later postponed to 2027 before now being canceled.
* Despite canceling the LF-ZC, Toyota will continue developing key next-generation technologies, including:
* Solid-state batteries
* Gigacasting (large aluminum one-piece casting technology)
トヨタ、２０２７年半ば発売予定だった次世代ＥＶの開発を中止へ…全固体電池など先端技術の開発は継続
【読売新聞】 トヨタ自動車が、２０２７年半ばに発売を予定していた次世代の電気自動車（ＥＶ）の開発を中止することが分かった。世界的なＥＶ需要の鈍化が影響しているものとみられる。次世代ＥＶ向けの全固体電池や、アルミ部品を一体成形する「ギwww.yomiuri.co.jp
Toyota has reportedly canceled the development of the Lexus LF-ZC, the next-generation EV that was originally planned for launch in mid-2027.
* The decision is believed to be linked to the slowing global demand for electric vehicles.
* The LF-ZC was first unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show as Lexus’ vision for its future EV lineup.
* The vehicle attracted attention because it targeted a driving range of around 1,000 km, roughly double that of many EVs at the time.
* The project was originally scheduled for a 2026 launch, but was later postponed to 2027 before now being canceled.
* Despite canceling the LF-ZC, Toyota will continue developing key next-generation technologies, including:
* Solid-state batteries
* Gigacasting (large aluminum one-piece casting technology)
These guys are such f--king clowns
* The decision is believed to be linked to the slowing global demand for electric vehicles.
This is just bunch of BS. The only stagnant big market is US BEV market but since Lexus is still predominantly US brand it kind of makes sense to cancel it. If I had to guess I would say its the same reason why Honda canceled its BEV platform, it was expensive and not competitive.
This is just bunch of BS. The only stagnant big market is US BEV market but since Lexus is still predominantly US brand it kind of makes sense to cancel it. If I had to guess I would say its the same reason why Honda canceled its BEV platform, it was expensive and not competitive.
It's really not and besides they're shifting focus to BEV SUV's.
It used to be a US brand, but now with the new ES and "Luxury Space" van concepts it's clear that they will be targeting China like the Germans and everyone else. The TX was one of the most important vehicles for the brand in the US and they put next to no money into differentiating it from a Grand Highlander.
blackjack214
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That explains why the new corolla concept looks exactly the same. Another one bites the dust smh.
LexDDas
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I'm hoping (why am I still trying to be positive? 😅) that with electric cars not taking off the way they hoped and the younger crowd wanting sedans again, maybe, just maybe, Lexus will see this as a sign to redirect. I mean, I personally see the IS everywhere. People love it - especially the FSport one. Why get rid of something people clearly want? Hoping this bad spell of Lexus ends soon and they open their eyes again to what people want.
They are not shifting away from hybrid SUVs anytime soon.
Electric cars are taking off in China, that's what matters. It's the ultra-luxury segment where they aren't gaining traction and Lexus was never competing in that space other than the LFA.
DarkSpace6383
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speaking of that stupid new lfa thing...what exactly does it offer if the fake tz thing has both the simulated manual AND the fake lfa engine noise?