BYD launches light EV RACCO in Japan, sells 741 units in first week

Chinese automaker BYD introduced its lightweight electric vehicle, the RACCO, to the Japanese market on 28 July. Within a week of launch the model recorded sales of 741 units, and BYD Auto Japan’s president Atsuki Higashifukuji said the company aims to reach 10,000 units by the end of December and eventually sell about 1,000 units per month.

The RACCO is built to Japan’s kei‑car specifications, offering a 210‑km range for the entry‑level RACCO 200 and up to 320 km for higher trims. Prices start at roughly ¥2 million after a ¥150,000 government subsidy, positioning the vehicle competitively against traditional gasoline kei cars. BYD’s chairman Xue‑Liang Liu highlighted the launch as the first foreign‑made kei‑car EV, marking a notable challenge to a market long dominated by domestic manufacturers.