Source: Weibo @SugarDesign

BYD (HKG:1211) will unveil its first all-electric K-Car at the Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled to open to the public on October 30, 2025.

The launch represents the Chinese automaker’s first attempt to enter Japan’s highly competitive kei car segment.

A pre-production display vehicle was revealed in spy photographs published by blogger @SugarDesign on October 27.

The images show a compact, box-shaped electric vehicle designed in the style of Japan’s mainstream “kei cars,” a category that limits length to 3.4 meters (133.9 inches).

The vehicle adopts a short front end, long wheelbase, and short overhangs to expand interior space, enabled by its dedicated EV architecture.

The design features sliding rear doors, large windows, and a floating roof. Both the front and rear include ring-shaped light elements.

Interior photos show a heated three-spoke steering wheel, digital instrument cluster, and floating center display.

Source: BYD Japan

According to a preview published on BYD’s official Japanese website, the new model will debut at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show and will be sold primarily in Japan.

The automaker has not confirmed whether it will later be exported to other right-hand-drive markets.

Local Japanese media reports indicate that BYD is developing a new small-car platform for the K-Car.

The vehicle is expected to use a 20 kWh Blade Battery, offering a driving range of around 180 km (112 miles) under Japan’s WLTC test cycle.

Based on the car’s weight and size, this capacity is positioned for urban commutes rather than long-distance travel.

In June, Atsuki Tofukuji, president of BYD Japan, told Nikkei Asia that small electric vehicles could address gaps in Japan’s rural mobility as higher fuel taxes and declining population lead to fewer gas stations.

“Compact electric cars fit Japanese lifestyles. If consumers recognize their economic value, they will consider buying them—even from non-domestic brands,” he said.

Kei cars remain one of Japan’s largest vehicle categories. According to IT Home, kei cars generated approximately $18 billion in sales in 2024, accounting for roughly 40 percent of all new vehicles sold in the country.

BYD’s entry will place it against domestic competitors including the Nissan Sakura and Honda N-ONE, priced at around 2.5–2.7 million JPY (16,400–17,700 USD).

Analysts have noted that BYD’s use of its in-house Blade Battery could allow it to offer a competitive price point while maintaining margins.

The Japanese market remains difficult for foreign automakers. A Suzuki dealer quoted by Nikkei in early 2025 said BYD’s small EV “could be a serious threat if priced low enough.”

BYD’s current smallest model, the Seagull, measures 3.78 meters (148.8 inches), slightly longer than Japan’s kei car limit. The new model therefore represents a purpose-built design rather than a derivative.

Press days for the Tokyo Motor Show begin on October 29, 2025. BYD’s K-Car will be officially presented during the opening media session, where the company is also expected to outline its plans for local production and retail partnerships in Japan.