Toyota partners with Tencent to sharpen EVs' competitive edge

Japan's No 1 carmaker Toyota has partnered with Chinese technology company Tencent to improve the appeal of its models in the Chinese vehicle market.

The two companies are cooperating in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data for Toyota's electric vehicles sold in China.

Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota's vice-president and chief technology officer, announced the strategic alliance at a news conference at the Beijing auto show on Thursday.

Tencent, which has a social networking service used by over 1 billion people, is pushing into the automotive industry as it expects strong growth there.

Toyota also debuted two new battery EV models, the bZ3C and the bZ3X, at the Beijing auto show, as part of the company's multi-pathway approach to achieving carbon neutrality.

The models unveiled as concept cars at last year's Shanghai auto show have been upgraded for mass production. Toyota plans to begin selling both in China within a year.

Both models are equipped with the latest driver-assistance systems and smart cockpits, delivering safe, comfortable driving alongside new experience value.

Toyota said it will continue working toward a mobility future filled with "smiles and diversity", catering to the needs of customers in every region.