BYD breaks into Japan's top 10 imported car brands for first time

by CHEN Xiaotong

BYD registered 416 vehicles in Japan in May, setting a new monthly record and breaking its previous high of 353 units in March, according to data released by BYD Japan on Thursday. The Chinese automaker also made its debut in the Japan Automobile Importers Association's top 10 ranking for imported brands.

BYD entered the Japanese passenger car market in 2023, launching its first electric SUV, the ATTO 3, priced at 4.4 million yen (about 228,000 yuan) with a range of 485 kilometers on a single charge, undercutting local rivals. It later introduced the compact BYD Dolphin in September 2023, priced between 3.63 million and 4.07 million yen, with modifications to meet Japan's mechanical parking standards by limiting the car height to 1,550 millimeters.

Last June, BYD launched its Seal sedan in Japan, priced at 5.28 million yen for the standard model and 6.05 million yen for the all-wheel-drive variant. In January this year, it announced plans to release the Sea Lion 07 SUV, its fourth model for the Japanese market.

According to the Japan Automobile Importers Association, imports of foreign-brand EVs reached a record 24,198 units in 2024, up 5.7% year on year. BYD's EV registrations rose 53.7% to 2,223 units, surpassing Toyota's EV sales in Japan, which fell 30.4% to 2,038 units.

BYD plans to introduce a Japan-specific micro EV next year to better match local consumer preferences, a company spokesperson confirmed, adding that product development and launch preparations are underway. Pricing will be finalized after evaluating market conditions and consumer demand.

Chairman Wang Chuanfu said at BYD's annual shareholder meeting on Thursday that overseas markets, including Japan, have become key growth drivers. He added that international sales are showing signs of monthly improvement and contribute positively to profitability due to more stable pricing abroad.