BYD takes on Japan's minicar market with cheap, in-house batteries

China EV maker sees 'kei' cars as way to unlock tough market for foreign brands

20250422N electric kei

BYD looks to disrupt Japan's all-electric minicar market, which is currently dominated by Nissan and Mitsubishi. (Source photos by Nikkei, Mitsubishi)

RYOSUKE HANADA and SOTA TANAKA

TOKYO -- Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is leveraging its cheap, in-house manufactured batteries to break into Japan's market for kei minicars, a field where overseas players have seen little success.

"Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan," a Suzuki dealer said Tuesday.

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