In its 20 years since its establishment, GAC Toyota broke the convention and held a technology open day event for the first time.
On June 28, at the first Technology Open Day, GAC Toyota showcased its transformation achievements and forward-looking technology layout in the joint venture 2.0 era, demonstrating its strength and determination to accelerate transformation and change.
Currently, the performance of Japanese brands represented by Toyota in the Chinese market is not optimistic.
Under the general trend of pure electric and plug-in hybrid in the Chinese market, the hybrid that Japanese car companies once prided themselves on is gradually declining. At the same time, Japanese car companies have failed to quickly update and iterate in terms of intelligence that Chinese consumers are concerned about. Under the strong suppression of domestic brands, the share of Japanese cars has continued to decline. Data shows that from 2020 to 2023, the market share of Japanese cars in China will be 24.1%, 22.6%, 20% and 17% respectively, which is far from the 30% market share at its peak.
The only way to reverse the situation is to change. Since April last year, Toyota's global management team has been promoting the transformation of Toyota's business around the three directions of "electrification", "intelligence" and "diversification", with "inheritance and evolution" as the key words. At this year's Beijing Auto Show, Toyota Motor, together with FAW Toyota, GAC Toyota and Lexus, once again reiterated its commitment to increase investment in the Chinese market.
At present, hybrid is the main outlet of electrification. Major brands are competing for technological heights. Hybrid routes continue to emerge and fall into a melee. At this year's Technology Day, GAC Toyota focused on displaying the latest hybrid technology - the fifth-generation intelligent electric hybrid dual engine. GAC Toyota said that the intelligent electric hybrid dual engine has three extreme balances: oil and electricity extreme balance; power and fuel consumption extreme balance; performance and safety extreme balance to achieve comprehensive leadership in hybrid. At the same time, compared with plug-in hybrids, Toyota's intelligent electric hybrid dual engine can achieve high energy efficiency with a small battery, get rid of the dependence on large batteries, large motors, and large fuel tanks; and there is no high-speed power delay and no problem of higher fuel consumption at higher speeds.
Toyota still adheres to the electrification strategy of HEV, PHEV, EV, and FCEV. According to GAC Toyota, its plug-in hybrid model that supports fast charging will be launched in China in October this year. At the same time, Toyota is also actively developing the next generation of engines that are more suitable for electrified models, which will be applied to PHEV and HEV models.
In addition, Toyota's new generation of electrification technology, represented by all-solid-state batteries, has a clear timetable for mass production. At this Technology Day, Toyota announced the progress of the new generation of electrification technology. Four types of new generation batteries, including performance lithium-ion batteries, popular lithium iron phosphate batteries, high-performance lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries, will be launched in the market in sequence from 2026.
The fastest-to-be-launched new generation battery is a performance lithium-ion battery, which is expected to be launched in 2026, with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers and a fast charge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. The most anticipated all-solid-state battery is being developed with the goal of launching it in 2027-2028. It is reported that the range of models equipped with solid-state batteries will reach more than 1,000 kilometers, and fast charging will only take 10 minutes.
In the field of intelligence, GAC Toyota has chosen to integrate China's advantageous resources to promote the rapid advancement of smart cockpit and smart driving technology. Its technological circle of friends currently includes technology giants Huawei and Tencent, as well as leading intelligent driving companies Momenta and Pony.ai.
Specifically, in the field of intelligent driving, GAC Toyota and Momenta have created an end-to-end high-end intelligent driving system, which will be first installed on the Bozhi 3X model and is expected to be launched next year. At the same time, GAC Toyota has joined hands with Pony.ai to carry out L4 level unmanned driving commercial operations and actively promote the large-scale mass production of high-end autonomous driving technology.
In the field of smart cockpits, the new generation of smart cockpits empowered by Huawei and Tencent have been installed on the three flagship models, the 9th-generation Camry, the 2024 Sienna and the Highlander. It not only integrates Huawei's AI voice assistant and Hi-link car-home interconnection ecosystem, but also integrates a wealth of Tencent ecological services, achieving a significant improvement in the intelligent experience.
After 20 years of development, GAC Toyota has achieved the advancement from "made in China" to "researched in China". GAC Toyota said it will deepen local research and development, and be ahead of joint ventures in all aspects by 2025, keep up with new forces, and rank among the top echelons of the industry by 2026 to 2027.
