May 30, 2026 – BYD is set to enter Japan’s kei car segment with a bold move, launching its new lightweight electric vehicle “Racco” on July 28, the company’s Japan representative Atsuki Tofukuji revealed in a recent interview. The automaker aims to collect 10,000 orders by the end of 2026, a target that would represent a massive leap from the 3,870 units BYD sold in Japan last year, according to the Japan Automobile Importers Association.
The Racco will be offered in three trim levels. The entry-level model delivers an estimated range of 200 km, while the two higher variants push that figure to around 300 km. Notably, it will be the first kei EV to feature sliding side doors — a practical upgrade often reserved for larger minivans — along with a more comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems than what’s currently available in the segment.
Pricing is expected to land between ¥2 million and ¥2.5 million. When asked about the figure, Tofukuji played it coy: “We’ll set a price that lets consumers compare our performance and equipment against what other companies offer. We’re not counting heavily on subsidies.” That cautious stance stands in contrast to domestic rivals. After factoring in Japan’s national EV incentives, the Nissan Sakura starts at roughly ¥1.87 million, and the Honda N-ONE e: begins around ¥2.12 million.
If BYD hits its 10,000-order goal, the Racco could effectively triple the brand’s Japanese sales overnight — and signal that Chinese EV makers are no longer content to compete only in the premium segment.
