GAC Toyota Motor, an automobile manufacturing company headquartered in Guangzhou, China and a joint-venture between GAC Group and Toyota Motor Company, has officially launched its first independently developed model on Thursday, with executives touting the vehicle's ability to emulate human driving through advanced technology.
The company's new bZ3X, a battery-electric compact crossover SUV, possesses innovative smart driving features, including advanced algorithms and acute perception.
"Now, the 'human-like driving' function in our self-driving system can provide even more accurate predictions than a human," Peng Baolin, deputy general manager of GAC Toyota, told attendees at the vehicle's launch event in east China's Hangzhou City.
Although the model has several configurations, they all share the same smart driving experience. Even with these features, the vehicle's price is standard for an entry-level SUV, ranging from 109,800 yuan to 159,800 yuan (about 15,000 U.S. dollars to 22,000 U.S. dollars).
"GAC Toyota has been actively embracing the wave of smart driving. We have taken the lead in realizing smart driving in the entire series, which will open an inclusive era for advanced smart driving," said Wen Dali, executive deputy general manager of GAC Toyota.
In terms of safety, the SUV is not only equipped with the high-quality features associated with Toyota, but was also developed in line with the latest standards of C-NCAP, a Chinese car safety assessment program, and CIASI, the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index.
It also boasts better performance in space arrangement than its peers, with as many as 30 compartments and areas for storage.
GAC Toyota launches smart-driving electric SUV as first independently developed model
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
