Bold: BYD wants to conquer Japan with this unusual car

October 23, 2025

Kei car

While brands such as Toyota, Suzuki and Honda have held the kei car segment in an iron grip for decades, Chinese automaker BYD will soon venture into the holy of holies of the Japanese automotive world: the kei car. The ultra-small city car segment symbolizes Japanese efficiency, modesty and national pride

For those who lost track of it: a kei car (pronounced kee-kar) is a typical Japanese microcar, created after World War II to provide affordable transportation for everyone. Its dimensions are set by law: a maximum of 3.40 meters long, 1.48 meters wide and 2.00 meters high. The engine must not exceed 660 cc, although nowadays manufacturers are increasingly opting for electric propulsion.

A Chinese kei car for Japan

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, BYD will present its very first electric kei car – developed entirely according to strict Japanese rules. This is special, as never before has BYD built a car exclusively for one foreign market. The car will have a 20 kWh battery with a range of about 180 kilometers, enough for heavy city traffic in Tokyo or Osaka. Fast charging is possible up to 100 kW.

Sliding doors and clever details

In terms of design, BYD is sticking close to the traditional boulder shape, according to spy photos that have appeared on the Internet. Think angular, tall and above all practical. The short overhangs and high roof probably make for surprisingly generous interior space. The car appears to get sliding doors, which should make getting in and out of tight Japanese parking garages easier.

A bold move

Japan is known as a difficult market for foreign brands. Even giants like Volkswagen, Hyundai and Ford have barely gained a foothold there. Still, BYD thinks there is room for a foreign player. The price of the BYD kei car is said to be around 2.5 million yen, equivalent to about 17,000 euros. This makes it cheaper than many popular competitors. The Chinese thus hope to entice young Japanese who do want to drive electric but do not have the budget for popular models such as the Nissan Sakura or Mitsubishi eK X EV.