Toyota New Zealand has confirmed that the local launch of its first dedicated fully electric car, the bZ4X, has been delayed until 2023.
The RAV4-sized electric SUV had been slated for a launch in late 2022, following its formal unveiling last October. But its launch has now been pushed back reportedly due to strong demand in other markets.
It was confirmed earlier today that the bZ4X would be delayed until 2023 over the ditch in Australia. In a brief statement issued to AutoTalk, a Toyota New Zealand spokesperson said “we too will not be getting bZ4X until 2023 either.”
Toyota’s Australian arm has indicated that the delay stems from significant global demand for vehicles, with neither Toyota Australia or Toyota New Zealand indicating when the bZ4X will arrive.
Confirmation of the bZ4X’s delay came after Subaru Australia announced earlier this week that its first electric vehicle, the Solterra, will arrive in the first half of 2023.
While Australians have a rough idea when to expect the Solterra to arrive, New Zealanders don’t. Subaru of New Zealand announced last November that it’s “yet to confirm a timeline” for the model’s local arrival, and hasn’t added to this in the months since.
The Solterra and bZ4X are built on the same e-TNGA platform, and share the majority of their parts. The two products are likely to be launched in Australia at similar times.
Front-wheel drive bZ4Xs ome with a single 150kW motor, while dual-motor variants get an 80kW motor front and rear, making for a 160kW overall output.
This is paired to a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery in all models, capable of approximately 500km of range in front-wheel drive models and 460km in all-wheel drive models.
