BYD’s tiny electric Racco is already proving that small cars can make a big impression in Japan.

Just two weeks after its official launch, the Chinese manufacturer’s new kei car has collected 1,002 orders, putting it on track towards BYD’s ambitious target of 10,000 reservations by the end of 2026.

Interestingly, Japanese buyers aren’t exactly flocking to the cheapest version. The range-topping Racco 300 Premium accounts for a remarkable 80 per cent of orders, while the 300 Plus takes 14 per cent and the entry-level 200 just 6 per cent.

Priced from ¥2.14 million to ¥2.497 million before subsidies, the Racco is available with either a 22.4kWh or 35.84kWh LFP battery. Depending on specification, range stretches from 210km to 320km, while a 47kW electric motor produces 63hp and 160Nm.

And despite its tiny footprint, the Racco isn’t exactly short on equipment. It seats four, offers a 280-litre boot and comes with adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking as standard. There’s also a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the larger-battery versions can accept up to 49.7kW of DC charging.

The Racco’s biggest challenge is the established Nissan Sakura, another electric kei car that sold more than 14,000 units in Japan during 2025.

But the BYD has one obvious advantage: range. Its maximum 320km figure is nearly three times the Sakura’s 112km WLTC rating.

For BYD, the early numbers suggest the Racco could become a surprisingly serious contender in Japan’s fiercely competitive kei-car market. Small car, big ambitions.