BYD is already known for its smaller, low-cost electric cars like the Seagull, which you can snag for under $10,000 in China. Now, China’s EV leader is looking to go even smaller. BYD plans to launch a new mini EV, or kei car, that could pose “a huge threat” to Japanese automakers as a cheaper alternative.
BYD’s new mini EV will launch in Japan in 2026
China’s EV leader is already starting to crack Japan’s auto market, where foreign automakers have struggled for years.
BYD sold 2,223 EVs in Japan in 2024, accounting for 4% of overall electric car sales. Meanwhile, two mini EVs, the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi’s eK X, represented over 40% of the country’s electric car sales last year.
Mini, or kei cars, are among the most popular…