China-made Toyotas? Check out the Toyota models that GAC Motor helps produce

It's no secret that car brands partner up to release or produce specific models.

Some brands, such as Mitsubishi and Nissan, share technologies and platforms to expand their model lineups further. Such is the case with the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton, which will also be the basis of the next-generation Nissan Navara.

However, other companies team up to enter a specific market. An example would be China, where foreign automakers must partner with a local brand to manufacture and sell their products in the People’s Republic.

For this example, we will look at Toyota, which entered a 50/50 joint venture with the state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (also called GAC Motor).

When was the start of their partnership?

According to the official websites of Toyota and GAC, their partnership was founded on Sept. 1, 2004.

Production of the Japanese automaker’s vehicles began on May 2006 with the Aurion-based Toyota Camry. The venture would then produce the Toyota Yaris on May 2008 and be officially called GAC Toyota by December 2008.

The partnership would move on to make other models, such as the Toyota Highlander on May 2009.

GAC would also begin to produce the Toyota Camry hybrid on April 2010. It also built the Toyota E’Z, also known as the Verso/Corolla Verso, on June 2011 and the Toyota Levin on July 2014. 

Soon after, the joint venture would diversify its vehicles, utilizing Toyota’s know-how with the production capabilities of GAC.

So, what cars does GAC help Toyota produce?

Given that Toyota and GAC are working together for the Chinese market, it begs the question: What cars does GAC make for the Japanese automotive giant?

Below is the list of vehicles that the GAC Toyota joint venture produces, as of press time:

• Toyota bZ4X
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Frontlander (Toyota Corolla Cross)
• Toyota Levin/Toyota Levin GT
• Toyota Levin hybrid/PHEV
• Toyota Sienna
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Venza
• Toyota Wildlander
• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota Yaris L Sedan

Are these made-in-China Toyotas quality products?

Like any other global product, cars made in another country are held to a certain standard.

This means that Toyota implements strict production guidelines worldwide so that they retain their durability and build quality. The same can be said for the Toyota products made in China.

They still have the same strict attention to detail and quality control as in Japan, but with lower production costs thanks to cheaper labor in China.

But if you are worried about a Chinese Toyota entering the local market, don’t be. Toyota Motor Philippines sources most of its products from the ASEAN region to benefit from tax cuts.

Some popular models are also made in the Philippines, such as the Toyota Vios under the government's ₱27-billion Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy Program.

GAC Motor also has joint ventures with other Japanese carmakers like Honda, Mitsubishi and Hino.

It just goes to show that not all "Chinese-made" vehicles have a questionable reputation or shoddy build quality.

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