Who is the supplier of steer-by-wire for Toyota BZ4X?
The exact supplier of steer-by-wire for the Toyota BZ4X has not been publicly disclosed; Toyota has not announced that this model uses steer-by-wire, and no supplier is confirmed for such a system.
Steer-by-wire (SbW) replaces the traditional mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels with electronic control and actuators. While the technology promises important benefits for autonomous driving and precision steering, it remains uncommon in mass-market production due to safety, redundancy, and regulatory considerations. The question of who would supply SbW hardware for a specific model hinges on formal confirmation from the automaker, which has not occurred for the BZ4X.
Is the BZ4X equipped with steer-by-wire?
As of now, Toyota has not disclosed any steer-by-wire configuration for the BZ4X. The company’s official materials describe the vehicle’s steering in terms of electric power steering (EPS) with a conventional mechanical connection to the steering rack. Without an official announcement, there is no confirmed SbW supplier tied to the BZ4X.
Industry speculation on potential suppliers
If Toyota were to adopt steer-by-wire in future updates or models derived from the same architecture, several major players are often cited by industry observers as potential suppliers. The following list highlights commonly discussed candidates and why they are frequently mentioned.
Industry players involved in steer-by-wire technology include several vendors that could supply SbW hardware for future Toyota projects. The following list outlines some of the commonly cited players in SbW development:
- Advics (a Toyota-Denso joint venture) — known for steering systems and has shown SbW concepts related to Toyota’s supplier ecosystem.
- JTEKT Corp — a major supplier of steering systems to Toyota, with experience in electric steering and SbW prototypes.
- ZF Friedrichshafen AG — a global supplier with a broad range of steer-by-wire concepts and related electronic steering technology.
- Bosch — a leading global supplier of automotive steering tech, including SbW demonstrations and related control systems.
- Continental — another major global supplier actively developing steer-by-wire and advanced steering solutions.
- Nidec Corp — a motor and actuator specialist increasingly involved in actuation solutions for SbW applications.
None of these companies has publicly confirmed supplying steer-by-wire for the BZ4X, and Toyota has not announced any SbW deal for this model. The above names reflect the broader industry activity around SbW rather than a confirmed partnership for the BZ4X.
What this means for the BZ4X and Toyota’s EV strategy
Without an official steer-by-wire configuration, the BZ4X appears to rely on conventional electric power steering technology with a mechanical linkage. If Toyota decides to pursue SbW in future models or updates, the supplier selection would likely come with formal announcements and detailed timing. SbW remains a strategic technology that could enable more advanced autonomous driving features and improved ride comfort, but it also requires robust safety redundancy and regulatory alignment before widespread adoption.
Summary
In short, there is no publicly disclosed steer-by-wire supplier for the Toyota BZ4X because Toyota has not stated that the model uses SbW. The vehicle’s current steering is described as standard electric power steering with a traditional mechanical connection. Should Toyota move toward steer-by-wire in this platform or a successor, potential suppliers often mentioned in industry discussions include Advics, JTEKT, ZF, Bosch, Continental, and Nidec, though no formal confirmation has been issued for the BZ4X specifically.
Where is the Toyota bZ made?
The Toyota bZ series is made in several locations, including Japan (Motomachi plant), China (GAC Toyota and FAW Toyota plants), and Indonesia (Karawang plant). The specific factory depends on the model, with some bZ4X and other bZ models being built in Japan, while bZ3, bZ3X, bZ5, and other models are produced in China through various joint ventures. The bZ4X is also starting to be assembled in Indonesia as of 2025.
- Japan: Toyota's Motomachi plant in Aichi produces the bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Subaru also manufactures the bZ Woodland at its Yajima plant in Gunma.
- China: GAC Toyota in Guangzhou and FAW Toyota in Tianjin produce various bZ models, including the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ5, and bZ3X.
- Indonesia: The Karawang plant will start producing the bZ4X for the 2025 model year.
What companies use steer-by-wire?
Production combustion-engine vehicles
Manufacturers implementing these systems included Citroën, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, and Toyota.
Does Toyota use steer-by-wire?
Steer-by-wire in Toyota's application usually runs off the vehicle's 400-volt system normally, however if the 400-volt system fails, the steering can run off the vehicle's 12-volt battery system. Worse case scenario, there is a small lithium-ion battery onboard as a last resort to power the system.
Does the Toyota bZ4X have steer-by-wire?
In some markets, the bZ4X is available with an optional steer-by-wire system.
