BYD's Racco electric kei car tops 1,000 orders in Japan in two weeks
BYD's Racco electric kei car surpassed its two-week order target in Japan, drawing 1,002 orders by August 9.
- 1,002
- 80%
- 10,000
- 2.145 million yen ($13,600)
What Happened
BYD's new Racco battery-electric kei car drew 1,002 orders in Japan from its July 28 launch through August 9, exceeding the company's target of 1,000 in two weeks. BYD Japan said orders were progressing smoothly and that the Racco had taken more than 700 orders in its first week, the fastest pace for any BYD model in Japan. BYD Japan also announced on X that orders topped 1,000. The company is aiming for 10,000 orders by the end of 2026, meaning the Racco is about 10% of the way there.
- 80%
- 14%
- 6%
- 37.5% additional household vehicles
- 35.7% replacements
- 26.8% first-time buyers
The Racco starts at 2.145 million yen ($13,600) including tax; after a 150,000-yen government subsidy the entry version drops below 2 million yen. Higher trims use a 35.84 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery providing 320 kilometers of range. BYD says the Racco is Japan's first all-electric kei car with power sliding side doors and the first light EV in the country with more than 300 kilometers of range. The model recorded 125 registrations in July, covering its first four days on sale, most of which were demo cars registered for dealers.
Kei cars account for nearly 40% of new-vehicle sales in Japan, a segment long dominated by local automakers. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, Suzuki and Daihatsu — both part of the Toyota group — together with Honda control about 80% of the minicar market. BYD Japan president Atsuki Tofukuji said the 10,000-unit goal by the end of 2026 is driven more by conviction than detailed market analysis, and that the pace should be sustainable from next year if dealerships generate about one order per day on average. BYD plans to grow its Japanese store network from about 80 today to 100 by the end of 2026 and 120 by the end of 2027.
Why this matters
BYD's strong start in Japan's kei-car segment — which accounts for nearly 40% of new-vehicle sales and has long been dominated by local automakers — shows an electric challenger gaining traction in a market that was almost entirely closed to foreign brands. The company's 10,000-order goal for 2026 and its plan to expand dealerships from about 80 to 100 this year suggest it expects demand to continue, not just a launch spike.
Terms in This Story
- kei car
- A small, low-cost Japanese vehicle class with regulated size, engine, and power limits, favored for city driving.
- LFP
- Lithium iron phosphate, a type of battery chemistry used for its lower cost and long life.
- trim
- A specific version of a car model with a particular equipment and price level.
A brief summary; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.