Toyota Readies Tesla Model 3 Fighter

• Toyota bZ3 revealed in patent images in China and will enter production in a joint venture with automaker BYD.

• The sedan will be offered in a choice of two power levels and will use BYD's electric motors and batteries.

• Last December, the Japanese automaker previewed a Camry-sized sedan, which was expected to be among the first EVs in this new lineup to reach production.

Toyota has only recently launched its bZ sub-brand meant for battery-electric models, which stands for Beyond Zero, and from the start we knew we'd see at least a couple of models aimed at the Tesla Model 3, but aimed at undercutting it in price. The Toyota bZ3, whose design was revealed this month, certainly looks like an EV aimed at doing just that.

But at the moment it appears it will only be offered in China.

That's because the sedan, which features a footprint fairly close to that of the Camry, will be built in a joint venture with China's BYD.

At the moment the bZ3 is expected to be offered in two power levels, producing 136 hp or 244 hp, and at least two trim levels. The sedan, revealed in these images by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, is expected to feature BYD's electric motors and batteries.