Planned Ambitious BYD Usik Pasar Jepang, Will Build 100 Dilers By 2025

BYD became the first Chinese car manufacturer to participate in the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in 47 years of exhibition history. (Doc. BYD)

JAKARTA - The automotive giant from China, BYD, has high ambitions to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market. They plan to sell as many as 30,000 electric vehicles annually starting in 2025 and will set up 100 dealers.

Carnewschina reported that when BYD first entered the Japanese market in July 2022, it brought three models at once, namely Seal, Dolphin, and Atto 3.

In October 2023, at the Tokyo Auto Show, the Chinese brand also introduced a tough SUV, YangWang U8, for its foreign debut, which later became a hot topic of conversation regarding its presence in Japan.

In October too, Wang Chuanfu invited dozens of dealers to a hotel in Tokyo and outlined BYD's strategy in Japan for more than an hour, as reported by Nikkei Asia.

Although the original plan was to enter the Japanese market relying on online sales, Liu Xueliang, Japan's BYD President, revealed that their strategy turned to traditional dealers.

"Because we are in Japan, where not many people know our brand, we need to connect people with vehicles and dealers," Liu told Nikkei.

Liu also mentioned that Japanese consumers are very sensitive to the automotive world and it is difficult to obtain information through online access.

When asked about BYD's reason for investing big in a fairly difficult market like Japan, Liu gave an interesting answer.

"We want to take what is learned in Japan and spread it to Asia and around the world," he added.

BYD's seriousness in entering the Japanese market is worth looking forward to, especially considering that Japan has long been a fort for foreign car manufacturers. Currently, local car sales still dominate with a market share of more than 90 percent, while electric vehicles still have a market share that is not significant compared to gasoline-fueled vehicles.

BYD Enters Indonesia Early 2024

BYD stated that it is ready to enter the Indonesian market through the passenger car line (passenger car) in the first half of 2024.

General manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, Liu Xueliang said that the company is very serious about looking at Indonesia's growing automotive market potential, including electric cars.

"The trend cannot be ruled out. It is clear about the transition to NEV (new energy vehicle)," said Liu Xueliang at BYD Headquarters, Shenzhen on Wednesday, as reported by ANTARA, December 20.

"Indonesia's market is developing, so we are very serious. BYD will soon enter the Indonesian market," said Liu Xueliang.

Eagle Zhao, President Director of PT BYD Motor Indonesia, explained that before entering the passenger car market, they had studied the characteristics of the automotive market in Indonesia.

BYD had previously tested Jakarta traffic through the Blue Bird taxi fleet and TransJakarta buses.

He said using a public transportation fleet was the right way to test the toughness of the car, because the car continued to work on various terrains, various weather, lots of payloads, and different driver driving methods.

"Since two years ago, we have been serious about exploring Indonesia. We are also studying product segments, relevant technologies, and affordable infrastructure," said Eagle.

On the other hand, Eagle does not want to divulge the type of vehicle that will be brought to Indonesia. He only stated that he was ready to compete by bringing competitive products.