CRASH_news auto

The new electric kei car will start sales this year with a price of around 2.5 million yen ($16,340), targeting the vast Japanese kei car market. Despite its compact dimensions, the car seems to provide ample interior room, particularly in terms of vertical space  The BYD Racco electric kei car (K-Car) officially revealed its interior in Japan as it gets closer to the market launch. It will start sales this year with a price of around 2.5 million yen ($16,340) targeting the vast Japanese kei car market. Despite its compact dimensions of 3395mm in length, 1475mm in width, and 1800mm in height , the car seems to provide ample interior room, particularly in terms of vertical space. Front seats adopt a continuous, bench-style design, a practical feature for navigating narrow Japanese streets. This allows occupants to easily enter and exit the vehicle, even if the driver’s side is close to a wall.  The interior of the BYD Racco adopts a typical kei car architecture with a gear le...

The Chinese New Energy Vehicle (Nev) maker is adopting an unconventional strategy to expand its Japanese sales by opening mini dealerships showcasing only one or two models to promote of its Racco electric K-car designed specifically for the local market  BYD unveiled the Racco at Japan Mobility Show, which opened on October, 25 BYD is adopting an unconventional strategy to strengthen its position in Japan. The Chinese New Energy Vehicle (NEV) maker plans to launch a network of mini-dealerships in smaller cities ahead of the rollout of its Racco electric kei car, according to a report by Nikkei Asia on February 9. These outlets will be located in towns with populations of up to 500,000 people.  "We intend to cover small, regional commercial areas in order to sell mini EVs," said Atsuki Tofukuji, president of BYD Auto Japan, according to the report. Each showroom will display only one or two vehicles and open as quickly as possible—a stark contrast to traditional large-sca...

The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker has released a teaser image of its first all electric K-Car, set to make its debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 starting October 30 BYD has released a teaser image of its first all-electric K-Car on its Japanese website, set to make its debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show starting October 30. The company shared a side view image of the model , revealing styling reminiscent of Japan's popular K-Cars. From the side profile teaser, the new vehicle adopts the box-shaped design common among Japanese “kei cars.” The model is expected to be primarily sold in the Japanese market, with no confirmation yet on whether it will be introduced to other markets, including China.  Compared to other box-shaped cars, BYD’s new vehicle appears to offer more spacious seating . As an electric vehicle, it features a shorter front end and utilises a long wheelbase with short overhangs to maximise interior space. Additionally, the rear side of the car wil...

Atsuki Tofukuji , president of BYD Japan , confirmed in an interview with the Financial Times that the company will launch a new low cost micro-EV explicitly designed for overseas markets and not sold in China Chinese NEV maker BYD plans to enter Japan’s 18 billion USD microcar market in 2025 with a low-cost electric vehicle as part of its expanding global strategy. Atsuki Tofukuji, president of BYD Japan, confirmed in an interview with the Financial Times that the company will launch a new micro-EV explicitly designed for overseas markets and not sold in China . As reported earlier, BYD plans to launch an affordable microelectric vehicle in Japan in the second half of next year, targeting a price of around 2.5 million yen (approx. $ 17,700) , undercutting its own Dolphin model, which sells for about 2.9 million yen (approx. $ 14,000).  The new kei car will feature a 20 kWh battery with a WLTC range of 180 km , support 100 kW fast charging, and a heat pump HVAC system. Aimed at ...

The Shenzhen-based automaker is preparing to challenge Japan’s tightly held mini-vehicle market with a fully electric kei car engineered specifically for Japanese roads . According to local reports BYD plans to produce the model in China for export to Japan starting in late 2026  BYD is preparing to challenge Japan’s 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 Japan’s kei car regulations .  Kei cars , short for keijidōsha (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...