Toyota, FAW Developing Electric Car Sub-brand for China - EV World

Although GM, Nissan, Honda, VW and now Hyundai have jumped on the sub brand bandwagon with gusto, Toyota have steadily refused to comment or deny on any plans they have for a new brand from their partner First Automobile Works. Of course in some interviews Toyota executives have made subtle hints at a sub brand for the Chinese market but nothing concrete has come forward so far, only denials regarding the plans. However, Auto.Sohu.com have released these pictures of what is being called FAW-Toyota’s first self developed car, a lack of exhaust pipes are indicating that this car is an electric vehicle.

Foreign automakers quickly realized that they were going to be left out of the electric car race in China, with subsidies only being made to new energy vehicles being made in China foreign companies can either produce their cars locally or they can import them and hope to sell at a premium. Toyota does sell the Prius in China but it has not been a big hit for the company, and further more the generous subsidies that are available for other new energy vehicles (up to 60,000rmb) clearly indicated that Toyota was in no position to seriously develop that area of the market.

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