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oyota, the well-known Japanese automotive manufacturer, is reportedly set to adopt BYD’s DM-i platform, a significant move considering BYD is the world’s largest producer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). This strategy aims to expand Toyota’s Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) offerings and enhance its competitiveness in China’s NEV market. NEVs include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), PHEVs, and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), but do not cover traditional Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), which are solely gasoline-powered and not chargeable.
As part of its strategy, Toyota will move away from its conventional Toyota Hybrid System (THS) platform used in HEVs for its future models aimed at the Chinese market. Although both Toyota and BYD have yet to publicly confirm this collaboration, insiders at Toyota have indicated a shift toward implementing DM-i technology. If this comes to fruition, Toyota plans to refine and customize the platform to create a distinct driving experience for its models, differentiating them from those of BYD that utilize the same technology.
BYD has a rich history in this sector, having launched the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle, the F3DM, in 2008. The company is now preparing to unveil its fifth-generation DM (Dual Model) platform, which is expected to feature impressive capabilities, including models that can travel up to 2,000 kilometers on a single charge and consume as little as 2.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (equivalent to around 35 kilometers per liter). The DM platform includes two primary versions: DM-i, focused on smart and efficient performance, and DM-p, designed for all-wheel drive (AWD) or off-road applications.
In recent years, Toyota has increasingly relied on BYD’s technology, culminating in the formation of a joint venture, BYD Toyota Electric Vehicle Technology, in 2021, with equal stakes from both companies. Toyota’s second all-electric vehicle, the bZ3 sedan, developed in collaboration with BYD, highlighted this partnership, utilizing BYD-supplied LFP Blade battery packs, electric motors, and various in-car technologies.
At the recent Beijing Auto Show, Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Hiroki Nakajima announced plans to produce more plug-in hybrid vehicles. This move is part of Toyota’s strategy to address the declining sales of its models in China, including the bZ4X and bZ3 EVs, along with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. To compete in China’s highly competitive NEV market, Toyota sees PHEVs as a key starting point. Further details are expected to emerge during Toyota’s electrification technology conference in Japan later this month. Stay tuned!