
Chinese auto giant BYD is preparing to launch its first compact electric vehicle in the Japanese market. The vehicle will debut at the Japan Mobility Show in late October, and BYD has released the first images of the upcoming model.
It joins the Kei Car class, a popular ultra-compact vehicle among Japanese drivers. These vehicles, less than 3.4 meters long, account for approximately 40% of car sales in Japan. Last year alone, Japanese buyers purchased approximately 1.55 million Kei Cars.
The electric vehicle is reportedly built on an all-new platform and will feature a 20 kWh battery with a range of approximately 180 kilometers. It will likely be equipped with the company's proprietary Blade LFP battery and is expected to cost around $18,000, making it a competitor to the Nissan Sakura, which was expected to be the most popular electric vehicle in Japan by 2024.
Japanese media have cited Suzuki dealers as saying that BYD's low-priced model poses a "serious threat" to Honda. However, Honda recently launched the N-ONE electric vehicle, priced at $18,300.