BYD has surpassed 10,000 cumulative vehicle deliveries in Japan, a milestone reached roughly three years and nine months after the brand entered the country's passenger-car market in January 2023, according to a report from NetEase Auto.
The vehicle that completed the 10,000th delivery was the SEALION 6, known as the Sea Lion 06 in China. Japanese registration data shows BYD's presence has grown steadily: in 2025, the brand registered 3,742 vehicles, up 68% year on year, marking a third consecutive annual increase. Momentum has accelerated into 2026, with 2,334 registrations in the first half, a 42.7% gain. In August alone, BYD received 1,260 orders in Japan, a monthly record, with the Racco micro-BEV contributing about 80% of those orders.
Racco kei-car drives demand
The Racco, launched in Japan on July 28, is a light battery-electric vehicle (BEV) developed to comply with Japan's K-Car regulations, which offer tax and insurance benefits for small vehicles. It has a boxy body with short front and rear overhangs and an electric sliding door for the rear seats, improving interior space efficiency and ease of entry. The vehicle measures 3,395 mm long, 1,475 mm wide and 1,800 mm tall, and comes in three trim levels with six exterior colors: Arctic White, Cosmic Black, Arctic Blue, Midnight Green, Gem Red and Cheese Yellow. Gem Red is exclusive to the top trim, which also features premium synthetic leather seats.
The Racco's pre-tax starting price in Japan is 2.145 million yen (about 88,747 yuan, or roughly $12,500). This is a Japanese guide price before taxes and incentives.
BYD's growth in Japan has been bolstered by products tailored to local usage scenarios, with the K-Car-spec Racco quickly lifting order volumes after its debut. As the sales network continues to expand, the brand's future performance in the Japanese market remains a point to watch, the report said.
