Chinese company BYD has officially launched the new Racco in the Japanese market – the first all-electric kei-car created by a foreign automaker specifically for Japan. The model went on sale on July 28 and represents BYD's attempt to establish itself in one of the most important segments of the local automotive market.

The BYD Racco meets the requirements of the Japanese kei car class – ultra-compact vehicles that enjoy tax and insurance benefits. This segment accounts for more than a third of new car sales in the country.

After applying benefits, the cost of the basic version drops below 2 million yen (about 940 thousand rubles), but due to smaller subsidies, the model still remains slightly more expensive than the Nissan Sakura after the final calculation for the buyer.

One of Racco's main advantages is its increased range. Depending on the version, the electric car can travel from 210 to 320 km on a single charge, which surpasses the performance of most existing electric kei-cars from Japanese manufacturers. In addition, the rear seats fold flat, increasing the luggage compartment volume to 1,372 liters.

BYD expects to receive 10,000 orders for the Racco by the end of 2026. This is an important step for the company, as sales have remained relatively modest since entering the Japanese market in 2023. By the end of 2025, the brand had sold just over 7.4 thousand cars in the country.