Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it received more than five thousand orders for the all-electric bZ3 sedan in China on the very first day of its sales, on April 16, 2023.

The bZ3, which has been built by the FAW-Toyota joint venture (JV), is the Japanese manufacturer’s first fully-electric sedan. In the bZ series, it is the second model. It is available with a starting price tag of $24,700 (approx. 169,800 Yuan). The range-topping model sets the buyer back by $29,000 (approx. 199,800 Yuan).

Built on Toyota’s EV-dedicated e-TNGA platform, the Toyota bZ3 has several similarities with the bZ4X SUV as both share the same architecture. The new EV features key powertrain technology from Chinese automaker BYD, including the Blade LFP battery and electric motor from BYD subsidiary Fudi Motor.

In China, the new EV is being offered in two range options: 321 miles (roughly 517 kilometers) and 382 miles (roughly 616 kilometers) on the CLTC test cycle. The base model comes equipped with a 130-kW (174-hp) front axle-mounted e-motor, while the Long Range variant boasts a front axle-mounted e-motor capable of producing 180 kW (241 hp) and 223 pound-feet (roughly 303 Newton-meters) of torque.

While the former model relies on a 49.92-kWh battery pack for energy, the latter model is powered by a 65.28-kWh battery pack. For charging, the EV has DC technology, with its Blade battery pack charging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in just 27 minutes.

When it comes to performance specs, the range-topping model is of course more powerful, capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds. Its top speed has been limited to 100 mph (160 km/h). The figures seem to be ordinary, but some believe that these are quite decent figures for the price fixed by the manufacturer.

The Toyota bZ3 is expected to challenge the likes of the Tesla Model 3, thanks to the same size and more pocket-friendly price. In dimensions, the new EV measures 186 inches (4,725 millimeters) in length, 72.2 in (1,835 mm) in width, and 58 inches (1,475 mm) in height. Its wheelbase is 113.4 inches (2,880 mm), which is also roughly the same as that of the Model 3 electric sedan.

Toyota is building the bZ3 electric sedan at FAW-Toyota's JV plant in Tianjin (China), which has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units.