BYD Raccoon Chinese kei car launches in Japan with attractive prices

BYD has launched sales in Japan of an electric microvan developed specifically for the country. The model is offered with a single motor and two battery options.

The Chinese firm BYD has been present in Japan for several years. It started with the electric Atto 3 SUV and the Dolphin hatchback, then added the fully 'green' Seal saloon and Sealion 7 crossover, as well as the hybrid Sealion 6 (some models have different names in their native China). The manufacturer has not achieved any outstanding results in the Land of the Rising Sun. However, sales have been growing recently. According to the company itself, in the first half of this year, 2,334 vehicles were sold in Japan, an increase of 43% compared to the same period in 2025. Now, BYD aims to reach a new level with the electric van Racco, created specifically for the Japanese market and belonging to the hugely popular kei-car class. The microvan was first shown last autumn. Now, trim levels and prices have been announced in Japan, and sales have begun.

The BYD Racco features a rectangular body with a high roof, traditional for its segment. The van also gets C-shaped headlights, electrically operated sliding rear doors (standard from the base model) and a single rear light unit. The dimensions are, of course, regulated by Japanese law for kei-cars. Length is 3,395 mm, width is 1,475 mm, height is 1,800 mm, and the wheelbase is 2,520 mm. The Racco rides on 15-inch wheels. The official ground clearance is 130 mm.

Inside, there is a minimalist dashboard, a three-spoke steering wheel, and separate screens for the instrument cluster and the multimedia system (10.1 inches). Below the central tablet, there are two rows of physical buttons for controlling the climate control and other functions.

The BYD Racco is offered in three versions, all featuring a 64-horsepower electric motor on the front axle. The cheapest van gets a 22.4 kWh battery, giving it a range of 210 km. The other versions have a 35.84 kWh battery, providing a range of 320 km.

The standard equipment list for the base Chinese kei-car includes: fabric upholstery, the aforementioned displays, six airbags, a rear-view camera, and adaptive cruise control. The next trim level adds fog lights, a heated steering wheel and front seats, and the front doors can be unlocked by bringing a smartphone near them. The top-spec BYD Racco also features contactless side door opening (simply swipe your foot under the sill), 'eco-leather' upholstery, a heated cup holder, electrically adjustable driver's seat, and a surround-view camera system.

Prices for the electric vehicle are quite attractive. Without incentives, the BYD Racco will cost between 2,145,000 and 2,497,000 yen, equivalent to roughly 1.02 million to 1.2 million roubles at the current exchange rate. For comparison, prices for electric hatchbacks from local companies: the Mitsubishi eK X EV starts at 2,446,400 yen (1.16 million roubles), the Nissan Sakura from 2,448,600 yen (1.17 million roubles), and the tiny Honda N-One e: costs at least 2,699,400 yen (1.3 million roubles).

Meanwhile, next year Japan plans to launch sales of an electric kei-car from a new brand, EMPTA, which also has Chinese origins. This is a project of Electric Mobility Technologies (EMT), established with the participation of several Chinese firms, including Chery.