Chinese Entry into Japan's Kei Car Segment. The BYD Racco Debuts at JMS 2025
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, Chinese EV giant BYD formally introduced the Racco - its first battery-electric vehicle crafted especially for Japan's kei-car segment. The kei-car is a Japanese car segment that consists of light vehicles which are compact and affordable, and have specific dimensions and are capped at a maximum engine displacement of 660 cc and power output at 65 PS.
Design, Dimensions and Powertrain
Design-wise, the Racco adopts a decidedly boxy silhouette, optimised for city use, with an upright screen and minimal front overhang. Â The move into sliding doors and compact dimensions shows an understanding of Japanese urban mobility conditions.
The Racco is built to the exact dimensions of the kei classification: 3,395 mm long, 1,475 mm wide and 1,800 mm tall. It features sliding rear doors to aid access in tight city spaces, a familiar trait for Japan's compact-car buyers. Â Powered by a front-mounted electric motor and a 20 kWh LFP "Blade" battery, the claimed WLTC range is roughly 180 km. Â Additionally, it supports DC fast-charging up to 100 kW.
Strategic Chinese Entry
What makes this debut notable: BYD is launching into the kei-EV domain, historically dominated by Japanese manufacturers. Industry commentary notes this may be the first non?Japanese brand to take on this territory. Â The move aligns with BYD's "EV + PHEV" push in Japan, as it revealed the Racco alongside its first local plug-in hybrid offering.
With kei-cars accounting for roughly one-third of Japan's auto market, the Racco could become a key pillar of BYD's local growth strategy. Â Early indications suggest that the Racco will be in direct competition with domestic models such as the Nissan Sakura.
Summing it Up
The launch timing suggests BYD is serious about Japan: it has already built a retail network of 60+ outlets and aims to introduce 7-8 new EV/hybrid models there by 2027. The BYD Racco's debut marks a bold step, not just for BYD's Japanese ambitions, but also for the broader shift in the kei segment toward electrification. Whether it will resonate with urban buyers and carve out meaningful share remains to be seen - but the game has certainly changed.