Toyota’s new electric SUV is already off to a strong start. Starting at about $15,000 in China, Toyota’s new bZ3X electric SUV was the best-selling EV among foreign brands in China last month.
Toyota’s bZ3X was the best-selling foreign EV in May
After a slow start (to put it nicely), Toyota is now looking to capture its share of the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The Japanese automaker launched a series of new low-cost electric cars that are already helping it turn things around in China, one of its most important markets.
Toyota’s joint venture, GAC Toyota, launched the bZ3X in March, starting at just 109,800 yuan, or about $15,000.
The bZ3X is Toyota’s “first 100,000 yuan-level pure electric SUV” and most affordable EV so far in China. So far, the low-cost electric SUV looks to be a hit.
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Toyota’s new bZ3X electric SUV was the best-selling foreign-owned vehicle in China in May with 4,344 units sold. The Volkswagen ID.3 was second, with 4,217 units, while Nissan’s new N7 sedan ranked third, with 3,034 units. Rounding out the top five were BMW’s i3 (2,605) and the VW ID.4 CROZZ (2,600).
After launching the new low-cost EV on March 6, GAC Toyota claimed the bZ3X was “so popular that the server crashed” with over 10,000 orders in an hour.
At the end of April, Peng Baolin, General Manager of Sales at GAC-Toyota, said the company had already delivered over 10,000 bZ3X models to customers. Baolin added that the electric SUV had another 12,000 pending orders at the time.
Toyota bZ3X electric SUV (Source: Toyota)
At 4,645 mm in length, 1,885 mm in width, and 1,625 mm in height, the bZ3X is about the same size as the BYD Yuan Plus (sold as the Atto 3 overseas).
The bZ3X is available in seven different trims. Five of them do not include a LiDAR, while the other two do, making Toyota the first joint venture brand to offer one in China. Upgrading to the LiDAR variants costs 149,800 yuan ($20,500).
Toyota bZ3X interior (Source: Toyota)
It’s offered with two battery options: 50.03 kWh and 67.92 kWh, which offer CLTC driving ranges of 430 km (267 miles) and 610 km (379 miles), respectively.
The interior is an upgrade from most Toyota vehicles we are accustomed to, featuring a simple yet tech-heavy cabin. A 12.3″ infotainment screen sits at the center with an added 8.8″ driver cluster.
Toyota bZ3X electric SUV interior (Source: GAC-Toyota)
GAC Toyota designed the interior for more than just getting from one place to another. With nearly 10 feet (3 meters) of space with all seats folded, the bZ3X offers “a mobile space that is as comfortable as home.
Equipped with Momenta’s 5.0 smart driving system, the electric SUV offers ADAS features like Level 2 assisted driving, remote parking, and more.
Toyota said earlier this year that “2025 is the starting point of a new 60th anniversary for Toyota China.” By partnering with local companies, “We will define products with Chinese wisdom, promote innovation at Chinese speed, and let the Chinese market drive Toyota’s global evolution.”
Electrek’s Take
Toyota is finally gaining some traction in China with advanced new electric vehicles, custom-tailored to the market.
During its Tech Day event held on Thursday, GAC Toyota announced several new partnerships with some of China’s biggest tech leaders, including Huawei, Xiami, and Momenta.
The new alliances will help Toyota build an entire ecosystem centered on software, smart driving, AI, and other EV tech as part of its new “China R&D 2.0” strategy.
Toyota’s new vehicles are already helping turn things around in China. In April, the Japanese automakers’ sales rose 20% year-over-year, with nearly 143,000 cars sold. Toyota attributed its success to the shift to new energy vehicles and strong dealership promotions.
Through May, Toyota’s sales in China are up 7.7% with 530,000 vehicles sold. With several new EVs rolling out, including the bZ3X and its new bZ5, which launched this week, starting at about $18,000. At about the same size as the Tesla Model Y, but only half the cost, will it see the same demand? We’ll find out soon as delivery and sales numbers are released.
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For those who may not be aware, the Jackery HomePower 3000 station is the next generation of the brand’s popular Explorer 3000, with the immediate upgrade here being the switch to LiFePO4 batteries – in this case a 3,072Wh capacity worth – which also comes with a battery management system and protected by ChargeShield 2.0 tech. It provides 12 output ports (including a TT-30R port for your RV living) to connect to devices and appliances, supplying them with a steady stream of up to 3,600W and surging up to 7,200W when needed.
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Jackery’s HomePower 3000 station boasts five primary means to get its battery recharged, like a standard AC outlet that can have it back to full in around 2.2 hours, alongside the 1,000W max solar input (which you can start working towards with the 400W solar bundle) that will take up to 11 hours, depending on weather conditions. There’s also the options to connect a gas generator, plug it into your car’s auxiliary port, or take advantage of its dual AC/DC charging for a 1.7-hour timeframe.
Enjoy smooth commutes and space-saving functionality on Heybike’s Horizon full suspension folding e-bike at $1,399
As part of Heybike’s ongoing End of Summer Sale, which is offering up to $649 savings on its e-bike lineup alongside the usual free gear bundles, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the brand’s Horizon Full Suspension Folding e-bike that is down at $1,399 shipped while the event lasts and comes with a free front and rear cargo basket bundle. This model usually fetches $1,999 outside of sales, which we’ve mostly seen brought down to $1,499 over 2025, with more recent drops to $1,399 and a one-time fall further to the $1,299 low that appeared during the brand’s anniversary sale back at the end of May. Aside from that one-time low, you’re otherwise looking at the best price we have tracked, which saves you $600 on one of the brand’s more premium space-saving commuting solutions.
EcoFlow’s short-term member-only deals drop DELTA 2 Max 440W solar bundle with free bag to new $1,282 low, more
Running parallel to its extended Labor Day Sale, EcoFlow is also having a Home Backup Sale through September 14 with up to 62% discounts, 5% and 7% bonus savings, and more. Among the lineup, we’re seeing shorter-term member-only pricing on four units lasting through September 7, with a standout being EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station coming with two 220W solar panels and a waterproof protective bag for $1,281.55 shipped, after using the code 25EFDCAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off your order. This particular bundle would cost you $3,276 were it at full price, with the bag missing from this bundle at Amazon, where it’s currently priced for $1,299, and has only gone as low as $1,234 in the past. Considering the bag costs $79, this combined 61% markdown for the next few days not only saves you a total $1,994, but gives you the best new price we have tracked. Head below for more on this and the other short-term member-only deals.
Hardwire Schumacher’s 50A Level 2 EV wall charger indoors or outdoors while at a new $350 low
Amazon is offering the Schumacher 50A Hardwired Level 2 EV Wall Charger at $349.99 shipped. Since July we’ve seen it keeping at $450 at full price, which is also when we last saw a discount, with Prime Day having taken the cost down to $399, and was only ever beaten out by a $390 rate from October 2024 Prime Day. The deal we’re seeing here takes things lower than ever as the 22% markdown is cutting $100 off the going rate and landing it at a new all-time low price. Keep in mind that this is a hardwired station, with the more flexible variant also currently seeing a discount to $414 right now, down from $500.
Clear up to 1.5 miles of weeds with this Greenworks 48V (2x24V) 15-inch string trimmer and two batteries at a new $91 low
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 48V (2 x 24V) 15-inch Cordless String Trimmer with two 2.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger for $91.19 shipped, which matches the pricing directly from the brand’s website. While it carries a $160 MSRP, we more often see it priced around $120 at Amazon, with discounts over the years having only gone as low as $96, which we last saw for an extended period in April through May. Today’s deal beats out all that have come before, though, with the 43% markdown here cutting $69 off the MSRP tag for a new all-time low.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
The top-selling Mercedes model is going electric. With just two days until its official debut, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a first look at the interior of the new GLC. With a massive 39″ touchscreen, the brand’s largest to date, Mercedes promises the new GLC will take luxury driving to a new level.
Mercedes-Benz unveils the interior of the new GLC EV
“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said after offering an exclusive look at the new electric GLC in July.
Mercedes promises the new model “sets new standards” as its first vehicle to showcase the luxury brand’s updated design and advanced new tech.
Ahead of its debut on September 7, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the interior of the new electric GLC for the first time.
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At the center is the new MBUX HYPERSCREEN. The 39.1″ floating touchscreen spans the entire dashboard. With over 1,000 LEDs and matrix backlight technology, Mercedes said the touchscreen boasts “exceptional clarity and vivid color.”
It also features intelligent zone dimming, which enables you to set two different brightness levels for separate displays. Mercedes said it has already filed a patent for the “groundbreaking” new feature. The only issue is that it won’t come standard.
The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC EV (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes said the MBUX HYPERSCREEN will be optionally available. Lower-priced trim options are expected to receive a smaller screen.
Thanks to an extended wheelbase, the new GLC EV offers more interior space than the current model. With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space, compared to the gas-powered model, which features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Like the interior, the exterior of the GLC EV will showcase the new Mercedes-Benz design. Källenius said the new model will debut with “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles,” which will include a revamped grille.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC will be based on an 800V architecture, offering charging speeds of up to 320 kW. According to Källenius, the electric SUV can regain around 260 km (161 miles) in about 10 minutes.
The new Mercedes GLC EV will showcase a new face (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
We will learn more info on September 7, when the new GLC makes its official debut. However, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, the new GLC is expected to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles from a 94.5 kWh battery. On the EPA scale, it will likely be closer to slightly over 300 miles of range.
Given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the all-electric version to be priced slightly higher at around $65,000.
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The massive new Hyundai EV plant outside of Savannah, Georgia, was raided by ICE on Thursday. Federal agents took hundreds of people into custody at the site, including executives from LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s battery partner and co-owner of the plant.
Why was the Hyundai EV plant raided by ICE?
After celebrating the grand opening of its new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia earlier this year, the Korean automaker said it’s “building the future of mobility with America, in America.”
On Thursday, a construction site for a new battery plant was raided by US immigration authorities. According to local reports, up to 475 people were arrested as part of an investigation into undocumented individuals. LG stated in a press release that Hyundai employees were among the hundreds taken into custody.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday (via Yonhap News), claiming that the individuals were treated unfairly.
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“The economic activities of our companies investing in the US and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated,” South Korean ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said.
Hyundai IONIQ 9 models, which are built at HMGMA EV plant in Georgia (Source: Hyundai)
The ministry’s spokesperson added that “We conveyed our concern and regret through the US Embassy in Seoul today.” Korea sent officials to Washington and to the Hyundai plant to establish an on-site task force to deal with the matter.
The site spans nearly 3,000 acres total and includes an assembly facility, two battery plants, a weld shop, and several others for training, logistics, and more.
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (Source: Hyundai)
As the largest economic project in Georgia, the plant, including Hyundai’s suppliers, is expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs while drawing $12.6 billion into the state.
Hyundai currently builds the new 2025 IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9, its first three-row electric SUV, at the Georgia facility.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)
The ICE raid came just days after US President Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. It’s part of the administration’s aggressive crackdown on immigration. Lee has committed to investing another $150 billion in the US, including a new EV battery plant, as it seeks to ease trade tensions.
LG Energy Solution and the South Korean government are working to secure the release of employees and others in custody. Check back soon, as this is an ongoing story. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.