JAKARTA The automotive manufacturer from China, BYD, continues to expand the reach of its electric vehicles in various global markets, including Japan. In an effort to strengthen its position in Sakura Country, BYD plans to launch a new model in the kei car segment or the type of tiny car that is very popular there.
As reported by Nikkei Asia on Wednesday, April 23, BYD is developing electric cars aimed at competing directly with major players in this segment, one of which is Nissan Sakura as Japan's best-selling tiny electric car.
BYD's move is not without reason. In addition to answering the electrification trend, they want to offer more affordable vehicles, so they can reach the very large lower middle consumer segment in Japan.
According to reports, the price of this tiny electric car is expected to start at 2.5 million yen or around Rp296.8 million, and is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.
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Although not much technical information has been revealed, BYD certainly has to adjust its car specifications to the kei-car regulations in Japan. This means that the dimensions of the vehicle must be in the range of 3.4 meters long and 1.48 meters wide.
The kei car segment itself is one of the backbones of the Japanese automotive industry, with a contribution of 40 percent of total vehicle sales. Its popularity is driven by relatively affordable prices, fuel efficiency, and lighter taxes than conventional cars.
As a comparison, Nissan Sakura is equipped with a 20 kWh battery which can cover a distance of up to 180 km (based on the WLTC cycle). Not only that, Sakura is also equipped with 100 kW of fast charging features and heat pump technology for cabin temperature setting efficiency.
With this strategy, BYD seems ready to enliven the electric kei car market competition and open up new opportunities to expand the dominance of electric vehicles in Japan.
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