BYD Launches Racco EV in Japan on July 28, Aims for 10,000 Orders

BYD plans to launch its compact electric vehicle, the Racco, in the Japanese market on July 28, aiming to secure 10,000 orders. The model will be offered in three variants: the base version offers a range of 200 kilometers, while the other two versions deliver 300 kilometers. The Racco is the first kei-class EV in Japan to feature sliding side doors and comes equipped with multiple driver-assistance features. Priced between ¥2 million and ¥2.5 million, its pricing strategy emphasizes competitiveness against rivals in terms of performance and specifications, rather than relying heavily on government subsidies. For reference, after applying Japan’s national EV subsidy, the Nissan Sakura starts at approximately ¥1.87 million, and the Honda N-ONE e: starts from around ¥2.12 million. According to data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association, BYD sold 3,870 vehicles in Japan in 2025; achieving its Racco order target would significantly boost its sales performance in the Japanese market.