According to a report from Nikkei China, Byd Company Limited (002594.SZ) plans to leverage the electric vehicle technology from its Japan-exclusive light car for the development of new compact EVs, with intentions to market them globally, including in Europe.
The company introduced the "Racco" light EV, developed specifically for the Japanese market, at the end of July. This model is the first to feature BYD's proprietary battery pack, "X-PACK," and the company has now decided to utilize this technology as the foundation for its upcoming small EV lineup.
The Byd Company Limited (002594.SZ) Racco, a micro electric vehicle, starts at a pre-tax price of 2.145 million yen (approximately 90,206 RMB at current exchange rates), with an additional 150,000 yen (around 6,308 RMB) in government subsidies available in Japan.
Measuring 3,395mm in length and 1,475mm in width, the Racco adheres to Japan's strict Kei Car dimensional standards. Its most distinctive feature is the 1,800mm height, which incorporates the ultra-high roof design favored by Japanese consumers. It is also the first light EV in Japan to be equipped with power sliding doors, underscoring BYD's serious commitment to penetrating the domestic light vehicle market.
The entry-level Racco is powered by a 22.4kWh battery, while the higher-spec version comes with a 35.84kWh pack. Under Japan's WLTC testing cycle, the entry variant offers a range of 210 kilometers, while the top-tier model achieves 320 kilometers, making it the first light EV in Japan to surpass the 300-kilometer range milestone.
Looking ahead, Byd Company Limited (002594.SZ) has outlined plans to expand its Japanese dealership network from the current approximate 80 locations to 100 by the end of 2026, with a further target of 120 stores by the end of 2027.