FAW Toyota delivers 10 millionth vehicle in China

FAW Toyota said on Sunday that it has delivered 10 million vehicles in China, the world's largest vehicle market.

The 19-year-old Sino-Japanese joint venture is one of the most popular carmakers in the country.

Established in 2003, it has since introduced a mixed lineup of models including sedans, SUVs as well as minibuses.

Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of vehicles FAW Toyota produced in the first 10 months this year was up 10 percent year-on-year.

The carmaker started to take orders for its first mid-sized electric sedan, the bZ3, on Sunday. It will hit the market in the first quarter of 2023.

Both the bZ3 and the bZ4X, which hit the market earlier this year, are built based on Toyota's latest e-TNGA platform.

FAW Toyota said they will be followed by more electric models, including a crossover and a larger SUV.

China is the world's largest market for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Their sales are expected to reach 6.7 million units this year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.