Shanghai Auto Show: Few New EVs, A Couple of New Brands From Toyota and Co.
Previously, Toyota tried to resist the pushes of the Chinese government to establish new joint-venture brands. The company also had been very skeptical of the success of the electric car. All doubts have been thrown away. Toyota presented two nee brands and two fresh EVs in China.
In September last year, Toyota’s chosen representative Takeshi Uchiyamada announced:
“The current capabilities of electric models do not meet society’s demand, whether it may be the distance the vehicles can run, or the price, or how it takes a much time to recharge.”
The demand of the Chinese customers appears to be different. Toyota reveals two fresh electric models side-by-side at the Shanghai show.
One of them is constructed at Toyota’s joint venture with FAW. The Corolla-based EV will go on sale under the new Ranz brand.
Another EV is crated at Toyota’s joint venture with Guangzhou Auto. The Camry-based EV will go on sale under the new brand of – ok, you figure it out.
Despite huge financial aid, EVs are not salable in China. But if the Chinese authorities want something, they get it.