Toyota rolls out next‑gen Corolla EV and bZ4X electric SUV

Toyota confirmed that it is developing a new generation Corolla that will be offered as a battery‑electric vehicle. The model, described as a sporty, lower‑siloed redesign of the long‑running Corolla, will sit on a new multi‑energy platform able to support battery‑electric, plug‑in hybrid, hybrid and conventional internal‑combustion powertrains. The move is aimed at countering growing competition from Tesla, BYD and Chinese manufacturers, which the company says has created a "sense of crisis" for its future strategy.

In parallel, Toyota introduced the bZ4X, the first fully electric model built on the e‑TNGA platform co‑developed with Subaru. The bZ4X is marketed in Malaysia as the brand’s first official EV, followed by the Urban Cruiser EV and Hilux EV, reflecting Toyota’s “Beyond Zero” philosophy that combines zero‑emission ambition with safety, reliability and comfort. Both projects illustrate Toyota’s shift toward a diversified electrification approach while retaining a single platform to streamline production across multiple power‑train options.