Chinese cars have been mushrooming globally, but the Japanese market remains a mostly impenetrable fortress by the Middle Kingdom, accounting for just a fraction of sales. Nonetheless, their latest effort is the BYD Racco, a pint-sized pugilist that takes aim at Japan’s kei car segment.
The Racco debuted at the ongoing Japan Mobility Show 2025 and is a kei EV that will go on sale there in the second half of 2026.
To be classified under the compact kei category, the Racco measures in at 3,395 mm long, 1,475 mm wide and 1,800 mm tall. Like most kei cars, it utilises a boxy body to maximise interior room, and this cabin will take four occupants.
Up front, the headlights and DRLs are enclosed within the blacked-out grille section that flanks the upper portion whilst the lower section of the front facade houses fog lights.
The entire upper beltline is blacked out as well, lending it a floating roof look. Ahead of the front right door sits the charging port flap, and the real doors slide open. Completing the design aspect is a tailgate with a recessed numberplate section in the middle and wraparound taillights with a single piece look.
There will be two variants available, a long- and short-range version, with front driven wheels. While both will carry a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, its capacity will be determined according to the variant.
Thought not confirmed, reports indicate that the long-range Racco will have an estimated WLTC range of 180 km from a 20k Wh battery. Those same reports point towards DC fast charging up to 100 kW as well.
The Racco, which translated from Japanese means ‘sea otter,’ is a huge gamble for BYD as it is their first model specifically for the competitive Japanese kei segment. Competition is expected from the other kei EVs in the form of the popular Honda N-One e, Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV.
GALLERY
