Say goodbye to “bZ4X” and other confusing alphanumerics. Toyota is changing its naming strategy as future cars get EV counterparts.
Before long, purchasing an electric Toyota won’t require solving equations with variables like b, Z, or X anymore.
At its annual Kenshiki Forum event in Brussels last week, Toyota officials announced a plan to walk away from its confusing and often-criticized naming scheme for electric cars, which has yielded models with names like
bZ4X
,
bZ3
and
bZ3X
Instead, new electric vehicles will be christened using names from “Toyota’s current and well-known model lineups,” according to officials.
Andrea Carlucci, who leads marketing and product development for Toyota Motor Europe, stated, ‘This strategy will grow further since every upcoming electric vehicle will naturally form an essential component of our Toyota range,’
Although no representatives from Toyota present at the event confirmed precisely which new models would adopt this revised nomenclature, they expressed an intention to leverage the corporation’s established brand value, much like how the previous two generations had been handled.
RAV4 EVs
.
2026 Toyota bZ4X Real-Time Images
However, CarluCCI suggested how things could develop with the introduction of two new and anticipated electric vehicle models. One of them is the
Urban Cruiser
, which is currently a compact electric crossover available in Europe under a nameplate that has been sporadically used over the past twenty years and brings to mind the well-known Land Cruiser brand. The other model is the new C-HR+, a mid-size crossover.
that shares the name with a hybrid version
But it is entirely different from the vehicle mentioned.
Masaya Uchiyama, who leads the development of the bZ4X, shared with
InsideEVs
that the decision was part of the mainstreaming of all-electric vehicles.
We chose ‘bZ4X’ as the name since it was something fresh.
Uchiyama said. ”
Currently, BEVs [Battery Electric Vehicles] are growing in popularity and becoming more commonplace. Initially, they were primarily suited for innovators and early adopters. However, today, BEVs are appealing to the ‘early majority’. We believe it’s time to assign them a common or recognizable name since these vehicles are no longer considered specialty items.
Uchiyama is right about this aspect. Electric vehicles accounted for roughly one out of every ten new cars sold in the United States in 2024, setting a new record. In Europe, however, the figures are even more impressive, reaching higher proportions.
approximately 15% of new car sales comprising electric vehicles
In January within the European Union, those figures rise considerably based on which European nation you consider; for instance, in Belgium, electric vehicles (EVs)
account for almost 30% of the new car market
, whereas in Norway—which has seen the bZ4X as a persistently popular top-seller—electric vehicles are
essentially 90% of new cars sold
.
Toyota has been
traditionally hesitant about completely adopting electric cars
And has opted for its “multi-pathway” strategy to provide various vehicle options. However, with the ongoing expansion of the electric vehicle market, particularly in Europe, the global leader in automotive manufacturing is enhancing its efforts in this area as well. By the close of 2026, Toyota plans to introduce an additional trio of fully electric models; reportedly, one might be a pickup truck, and another could potentially be a production variant of
The Land Cruiser Se concept
.
Land Cruiser Se Concept
Automakers frequently face challenges when naming their upcoming electric vehicles (EVs) as these become more common, potentially replacing gasoline-powered models across various lines. Some manufacturers choose distinct monikers for their EVs like the Kia EV3 or Hyundai Ioniq 5; however, others hesitate to let go of long-standing brand identities and familiar recognitions. For instance, Audi has been cautious about moving away from traditional branding approaches.
lately ditched a complicated plan
For EVs, only even-numbered vehicles such as the A4 and Q6 will be used, whereas gas-powered cars will employ odd numbers.
On Toyota’s part, it’s improbable that many individuals will lament the absence of the ”
Beyond Zero 4 Crossover
especially since this electric version of the RAV4 is essentially a modern equivalent. Introducing electric variants of the Sienna, Tacoma, and Corolla could make a far more appealing approach to encourage owners of these vehicles to switch from gas-powered models.
Contact the author:
patrick.george@insideevs.com
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