Since its launch in Japan on July 28, 2026, the BYD Racco has continued to attract attention from the market and the media, not only because BYD became the first non-Japanese manufacturer in Japan's K-car market, but also because the Racco's product strength has greatly exceeded the expectations of Japanese users and the media. According to "Early Car Understanding," the Racco, with a nominal range of 320 kilometers, was even able to exceed its nominal range in tests by mainstream media such as Nikkei, surprising the testing reporter: "This is the only electric vehicle in my test-driving experience that has not shown a noticeable range discount."
Before the BYD Racco, there had been no precedent in the Japanese market for a pure electric K-car with a real-world range exceeding 300 kilometers. For example, Japan's best-known pure electric K-car, the Nissan Sakura, has a range of 180 kilometers.
A Nikkei reporter drove 145 kilometers with 95% battery remaining, after which the Racco's instrument panel still showed it could travel another 180 kilometers
In addition to Japan's official media, Japanese self-media also conducted test drives of the Racco, and in some tests even achieved a full-charge range of 400 km, making it truly a case of "reverse underrating." In a region like Japan, where the vehicle electrification rate is low and local users generally do not yet trust electric vehicles, the key for electric vehicles to gain local users' trust lies in solid and reliable range, practical features, and a good long-term vehicle ownership experience.
A Japanese self-media blogger challenged themselves to achieve a 400-kilometer range with the BYD Racco
BYD Racco
This is a successful move in China's reverse technology export. BYD is one of the earliest new energy brands to enter the Japanese market, and also one of the few Chinese brands daring to enter the Japanese market; today, BYD's cumulative deliveries in the Japanese market have exceeded 10,000 units, with 3,742 units registered in Japan for the full year of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 68%, achieving growth for three consecutive years. After entering 2026, the growth rate further accelerated, with registrations in the first half of the year reaching 2,334 units, a year-on-year increase of 42.7%; among them, orders in August alone reached 1,260 units, setting a new historical high. In the future, BYD will continue to bring more products that meet local needs to Japanese consumers, and at the same time, in its global overseas layout, will closely follow local demand and provide local users with more of the products they need.
BYD delivers its 10,000th new energy vehicle to a user in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
It is worth mentioning that at the delivery ceremony held at the BYD store in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, BYD Vice President Liu Xueliang revealed that the company will bring the Racco mini electric vehicle, originally created specifically for the Japanese market, to other markets, with the first sales regions designated as Sri Lanka and Macau, China.
According to "Early Car Understanding," the Racco has now opened reservations in Macau, China; Sri Lanka held a launch event on October 9 and officially began sales.
Liu Xueliang said at the ceremony: "It took us about four years to achieve 10,000 deliveries. We will definitely reach the next 10,000 faster. We must solidly build our sales network and after-sales service system." In addition, Liu Xueliang also introduced the Racco's order situation: "It has been two months since the Racco model was launched, and cumulative orders are about to exceed 2,000 units. We feel that this car has gained recognition from a large number of consumers. In the future, we hope to let more people experience the Racco and further expand sales."
