Toyota Empowers Chinese Engineers to Lead Development of All New Models in China

Technology News – Jasmine Flower News

On September 23, 2025, GAC Toyota introduced three new gasoline vehicle models, the updated Corolla, Highlander, and Sienna, all of which reflect a deeper involvement from the Chinese engineering team. This is part of Toyota’s strategy to enhance localization in vehicle development.

Earlier this year, Toyota China announced that from June onwards, all models launched in China, whether global vehicles or jointly developed ones, will be led by Chinese engineers throughout the entire development process.

The updated Corolla offers nine configurations, with the hybrid version starting at 145,800 yuan for the base model and going up to 172,800 yuan for the top trim. The naturally aspirated 2.0L version starts at 132,800 yuan, reaching 155,800 yuan for the highest specification.

Changes to the Corolla include a wider front fascia and redesigned tail lights, giving it a more modern appearance. A new titanium gray exterior color has been added, along with interior options in black and gray. Inside the cabin, Toyota has upgraded to a more fashionable seating style and increased comfort with soft-touch materials in various parts, including the dashboard, cup holders, and steering wheel.

Notably, the new Corolla features an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel and a 12.9-inch in-car entertainment screen, equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8155P automotive-grade chip, aligning it with Toyota’s flagship series models. The upgraded infotainment system now supports intelligent voice interaction features such as dual-zone recognition and continuous dialogue.

On the driving assistance front, the Corolla is now equipped with the new TSS 3.0 version which includes improvements in camera resolution and radar detection capabilities, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2026 Highlander model has also seen significant upgrades, especially in the entry-level configurations. The new entry-level version is the 2.5L hybrid two-wheel-drive elite version, priced at 249,800 yuan, which can drop to 219,800 yuan with various discounts. It now includes features such as leather-wrapped seats and a high-quality sound system as standard.

In terms of technology, the new Highlander comes with a 15.6-inch intelligent in-car entertainment system powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8155P chip, along with upgraded voice interaction functionalities.

The newly launched Sienna now includes a “Four-Wheel Drive Premium Edition,” which comes with luxury seating and advanced electronic four-wheel drive technology, priced at 369,980 yuan.

In August 2025, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in the automotive industry reached approximately 51%, indicating that nearly half of users still prefer gasoline vehicles. The continuous growth in gasoline vehicle sales over three months shows that the market demand for fuel vehicles remains strong.

As a leader in the fuel vehicle era, Toyota faces the challenge of transitioning to new energy while still meeting the significant demands of existing gasoline vehicle owners. Toyota believes that the reluctance of fuel vehicle users is not against electrification, but rather concerns about the convenience of energy replenishment, range, and battery safety.

Thus, their approach to upgrading existing gasoline models focuses on not forcing users to change their habits, but rather incorporating proven electrification technologies into fuel vehicles, maintaining a strategy of dual development.

In closing, GAC Toyota shared two important updates: First, Toyota will take responsibility for electric vehicle spontaneous combustion incidents and accidents involving smart parking assistance; second, a new medium-sized SUV specifically developed for China, featuring the next-generation intelligent cockpit and TSS 4.0 intelligent driving assistance, will soon be launched, expected to be the smartest Toyota vehicle globally.

As competition intensifies in the 100,000 to 150,000 yuan sedan market, brands like BYD, Xpeng, and Leap Motor have emerged as popular choices by covering core configurations that users prioritize while maintaining reasonable pricing.

GAC Aion, after years of market accumulation, has capitalized on this trend with its AION RT refresh, which targets rational family users, offering four configurations priced between 99,800 and 123,800 yuan. The entire series is equipped with CATL batteries and comes with a lifetime warranty on the three-electric system.

The new AION RT maintains the brand’s design language, featuring a streamlined shape. The dimensions are 4865mm in length, 1875mm in width, and 1520mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2775mm. The rear seat space is designed to ensure comfort even for taller passengers.

In terms of comfort, the new model offers ventilated and heated seats, wireless fast charging, and a powered tailgate. The interior materials are carefully selected, ensuring a premium feel throughout.

With all these upgrades, the AION RT refresh successfully combines competitive pricing with superior features, aiming to meet the core needs of family car buyers in terms of range, safety, comfort, and convenience.

In other technology news, DJI has recently launched the OSMO 360 panoramic camera, which competes directly with Insta360. The newly released OSMO nano, priced starting at 1998 yuan, aims to offer an affordable option for users seeking high-quality imaging capabilities.

In a recent event, NVIDIA announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, investing up to $100 billion to support OpenAI’s AI data center initiatives. This partnership will enable OpenAI to utilize millions of NVIDIA GPU systems to deploy AI data centers.