Toyota to Produce Next-Gen Electric Vehicles First in China

Toyota Motor Corporation plans to produce its next-generation electric SUV under the Lexus brand at its new Shanghai factory starting autumn 2027, with initial monthly output of around 1,000 units and annual capacity set to scale to tens of thousands by 2028. This marks a rare strategic shift for Toyota, which historically developed and manufactured hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles in Japan before exporting them globally. Industry analysts view this move as Toyota's effort to leverage China's advanced EV technology and supply chain advantages to enhance its global competitiveness. "China is leading in automotive intelligence and AI development, and Toyota can no longer bypass this trend," said a senior analyst at Nakanishi Automotive Research.