BYD launches Kei-Car Racco 2026 to compete with Japanese car manufacturers

With a compact design, 20 kWh battery and a price of only 2.6 million yen, the BYD Racco electric kei-car model promises to create a wave of competition in the Japanese electric mini car market.

At the Japan Mobility Show 2025 taking place in Japan, Chinese automaker BYD officially launched the Racco electric car model, marking the company's first step into the kei car segment in Japan.

Kei cars are a small car line typical of the Japanese domestic market, characterized by strictly limited size and favored for its flexibility in crowded urban areas. Therefore, BYD Racco quickly attracted attention thanks to its design that closely adheres to the traditional characteristics of kei cars.

The BYD Racco 2026 has a maximum length of 3,400 mm, a width of 1,480 mm and a height of 2,000 mm. The compact body design, short nose, vertical windshield, sliding doors on both sides, almost perpendicular rear end and overall space-optimized design.

The front of the car attracts attention with a closed grille and two-level LED daytime running lights with integrated turn signals. The double A-pillar design, small triangular windows and floating hood give the car an overall modern and youthful look.

The Racco is a four-door model, with two sliding rear doors with rails located above the wheel arches, a familiar detail on Japanese urban cars. At the rear, vertical taillights, rear wipers and a centrally located license plate complete the car's minimalist, utilitarian style.

The BYD Racco is equipped with a fully electric drive system, using a 20 kWh battery, for an operating range of about 180 km according to WLTC standards. The vehicle supports DC fast charging up to 100 kW and a heat pump air conditioning system, ensuring energy savings in Japan's cold climate.

The expected selling price of the BYD Racco 2026 is around 2.6 million yen (about 447 million VND), competing directly with rivals such as Honda N-Box, Suzuki Spacia and Nissan Sakura , kei-car electric models currently starting at 2.54 million yen.

“There are many small car standards around the world and BYD has chosen to enter the kei car segment,” Toshihiro Suzuki, president of Suzuki Motor, told Nikkei Chinese Edition.

“I am very happy to see that. A new competition is about to begin, and I believe we can learn from each other. Japanese consumers are increasingly open to Chinese goods, and BYD is posing a big challenge,” added Mr. Toshihiro Suzuk.

The appearance of BYD Racco not only marks the company's first Kei-Car model in Japan, but also the deepest localization step in its strategy to conquer this difficult market. All detailed information about the car model, from the official name, technical specifications to the commercial version, will be announced by BYD at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show.

Video : Launch of BYD Racco 2026 in Japan.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/byd-ra-mat-xe-kei-car-racco-2026-dau-voi-cac-hang-xe-nhat-post2149064751.html