BYDâs electric âK-Carâ spied, targets Japanâs iconic mini-vehicle segment
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is preparing to challenge Japanâs tightly held mini-vehicle market with a bold new contender: a fully electric kei car engineered specifically for Japanese roads. Recently leaked spy photos reveal a compact prototype that is being tested. It features hallmark design elements like sliding rear doors and a dual A-pillar layout, indicating strict adherence to Japanâs kei car regulations.
Kei cars, short for keijidĹsha (light automobiles), are a uniquely Japanese category of ultra-compact vehicles. By law, they must not exceed 3.4 meters in length, 1.48 meters in width, and 2 meters in height, with engine output capped at 64 horsepower. These vehicles receive tax and parking benefits, making them ideal for urban drivers. Despite incentive cuts in 2014âincluding a 50% hike in kei car taxesâthese vehicles still account for roughly 35% of Japanâs auto market.
Reports from China suggest the vehicle will feature a 20 kWh battery delivering 180 km WLTC range, 100 kW fast charging, and an efficient heat pump HVAC system. With an expected price of 2.5 million yan (17,700 USD), it will compete directly with the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EVâJapanâs two leading electric kei cars. Both were launched in 2022 by the NMKV joint venture, featuring 20 kWh batteries and 47 kW motors.
Only Daihatsu, Honda, Suzuki, and the Nissan-Mitsubishi NMKV partnership build kei cars at scale, while Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru rely on rebadged models. BYDâs entry would mark the first serious competition from outside Japan.
âDeveloping a proper kei car requires completely rethinking vehicle architecture,â said analyst Li Ming. âBYDâs move signals a deep commitment to the Japanese market.â
In 2024, the Shenzhen-based automaker surpassed Toyota in Japanâs EV sales for the first time, delivering 2,223 all-electric cars, up 54% from the year before. Toyota sold 2,038 EVs, and in total, 59,736 all-electric vehicles were sold in Japan in 2024.
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