BANGKOK:Toyota Motor began selling its first mass-market electric vehicle in Thailand on Wednesday, taking advantage of government subsidies to gain a foothold on EVs in one of its most important markets.
The bZ4X is Toyota’s first electric vehicle outside of its luxury Lexus brand.
The vehicle, which will be manufactured in Japan, sells for 1.83 million baht (US$49,900) and comes in six colours. The maximum range on a single charge is approximately 400km, putting it in the longest-range class of EVs.
In February, the Thai government put in place subsidies of up to 150,000 baht per electric vehicle. Toyota’s offering is the first Japanese vehicle to qualify.
Toyota is Thailand’s top car company, selling 240,000 vehicles in 2021. It hopes to stay on top of sales rankings for EVs with the bZ4X, but faces stiff competition from more affordable Chinese competitors.
BYD Auto, the fourth-largest EV company in the world, is selling a small electric SUV in Thailand, the ATTO3, for 1.2 million baht.