BYD, China’s largest carmaker, has launched its Dolphin EV in Japan to compete with local giants Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.
The Dolphin EV is priced from 3.63 million yen and offers a 70 kWh battery with a range of 400km. An extended-range model is also available with a 150 kWh battery and a range of 476km per charge.
BYD has struggled to make significant progress in the Japanese market, where consumers prefer domestic brands and hybrids over pure battery EVs.
BYD plans to open 100 dealerships and showrooms in Japan by 2025 to establish a strong presence in the market.
The entry into Japan presents a growth opportunity for BYD as Chinese carmakers face challenges in Europe and the US.
The Dolphin EV will utilize the CHAdeMO charging system, which is widely adopted in Japan.
Analysts believe that the Dolphin has good prospects in Japan due to the improving quality of BYD’s vehicles and changing consumer perceptions towards Chinese products.
BYD’s entry into Japan highlights the global shift towards electrification in the automotive industry and positions the company as a formidable player in the EV segment.
BYD, China’s largest carmaker and a major player in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, is making a bold move to enter the Japanese market with its Dolphin EV. Priced competitively starting from 3.63 million yen, the Dolphin aims to challenge the dominance of local powerhouses Toyota, Honda, and Nissan in Japan’s car market.
Despite being a leader in EV technology, BYD has struggled to gain traction in Japan, where consumers have traditionally favored domestic brands. Imported cars, particularly luxury models, only make up a small fraction of the market. However, BYD remains undeterred and is determined to change this perception with the introduction of the Dolphin.
The Dolphin comes in two variants: a base model with a 70 kilowatt-hour battery offering a range of 400km, and an extended-range model priced at 4 million yen, equipped with a larger 150 kWh battery that provides a range of 476km per charge. These specifications are comparable to popular EV models in Japan, such as Nissan’s electric Leaf.
To overcome the preference for hybrids over pure battery EVs in Japan, BYD plans to open 100 dealerships and showrooms by 2025. This ambitious expansion strategy demonstrates BYD’s commitment to establishing a strong presence and capturing a significant market share in Japan.
The decision to enter the Japanese market also presents BYD with a new growth opportunity, especially as Chinese carmakers face challenges in Europe and the US. The European Union recently launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies for EVs, while the US incentivizes EV purchases but restricts tax credits to vehicles manufactured in North America.
Analysts believe that the Dolphin has good prospects in Japan due to the improving quality of BYD’s vehicles and a changing perception of Chinese products among Japanese consumers. Additionally, the Dolphin will utilize the CHAdeMO charging system, which is widely adopted in Japan and further enhances its compatibility with existing infrastructure.
BYD’s entry into the Japanese market not only signals its determination to expand internationally but also highlights the global shift towards electrification in the automotive industry. As the world’s third-largest car market, Japan presents an exciting opportunity for BYD to showcase its technological prowess and gain recognition as a formidable player in the EV segment.