BEIJING -- Toyota Motor will launch an electric car in China this year through a local joint venture as a shortcut into what is already the world's largest market for electrified vehicles, with a view to rolling out its own models in 2020.
The Japanese automaker is seen as lagging on commercialization of electric cars and hopes to catch up with the fully electric ix4 sport utility vehicle from partner Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC). Sales will be handled by joint venture GAC Toyota Motor. The SUV will carry GAC's name, not the Toyota brand.
