Toyota has announced it will move away from its “bZ” naming system for electric vehicles, with plans to use more familiar names for future EV models. The bZ4X, launched in 2022, will likely be the only vehicle sold globally under the old naming convention.
The bZ4X was Toyota’s first global electric vehicle and was initially expected to mark the beginning of a new series of electric cars under the bZ (Beyond Zero) branding. The automaker had planned to introduce 15 dedicated EVs globally, with seven of them bearing the bZ name. However, following a recall of all bZ4X models in 2022 due to concerns that the wheels could detach, the bZ4X has struggled to gain traction in an increasingly crowded EV market.
As part of its strategy to move beyond the bZ branding, Toyota is reverting to using names from its existing lineup. Andrea Carlucci, Toyota Europeās marketing director, noted that the company would likely keep the bZ4X as an isolated model. He also mentioned that the move to use familiar names instead of numbers was a āclear request from Europeā that had been āheard and followed by Japan.ā
This decision follows the recent unveiling of Toyotaās new Urban Cruiser electric SUV, which is seen as an unofficial successor to the gasoline-powered model discontinued in 2014. The Urban Cruiser will also be the first result of Toyotaās partnership with Suzuki, with production based in India on the Suzuki e-Vitara platform.
Carlucci highlighted Toyota’s reputation in battery and energy management, which he believes has helped build customer trust in the companyās hybrid vehicles. He added, āToyota knows better than anyone about how to manage a battery, how to make it stable and so on.ā
In the US, Toyota has also made moves to increase demand for the bZ4X by cutting prices by up to $6,000 for the 2025 model, which now starts at just over $37,000 and offers a range of up to 252 miles.
Source: Autocar