BYD Racco Surpasses 1,000 Orders in Japan Within Two Weeks

BYD's new micro all-electric vehicle, the Racco, officially launched in the Japanese market on July 28, 2026 — and within just two weeks, orders exceeded 1,000 units. According to the Nikkei, as of August 9, cumulative orders reached 1,002 units. BYD aims to achieve a pre-order target of 10,000 units by the end of 2026.

The Japanese launch offers three trims: 200, 300 Plus, and 300 Premium, priced between ¥2.14 million and ¥2.497 million JPY (approximately $13,470–$15,720, excluding subsidies). The top-spec 300 Premium accounts for a striking 80% of orders, while the 300 Plus and 200 trims represent 14% and 6%, respectively. Customer surveys reveal that 35.7% of buyers intend to use the Racco as a second family car, another 35.7% plan to replace an existing vehicle, and first-time EV buyers make up 26.8%.

The Racco is a front-wheel-drive micro EV featuring a boxy, upright design — measuring 3,395 × 1,475 × 1,800 mm with a 2,520-mm wheelbase and a remarkably tight turning radius of just 4.8 meters. It seats four and offers a 280-liter trunk capacity. Power comes from a permanent-magnet synchronous motor delivering peak output of 47 kW (63 hp) and maximum torque of 160 N·m. Two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options are available: 22.4 kWh and 35.84 kWh, enabling CLTC all-electric ranges of 210 km and 320 km, respectively.

Charging capability varies by trim: the entry-level 200 supports 35.8 kW DC fast charging (CHAdeMO), while higher trims peak at 49.7 kW. All variants come standard with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. The center console features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the audio system supports up to six speakers.

Its main competitor is the Nissan Sakura — a domestically popular electric K-Car also sold in Japan. The Sakura packs a 20 kWh battery and a 47 kW motor, delivering only 112 km of WLTC combined range and starting at ¥2.4486 million JPY (~$15,415). In 2025, the Sakura achieved 14,093 deliveries in Japan. By comparison, the Racco stands out with longer range, richer smart features, and more competitive pricing.

According to China EV DataTracker, BYD's global sales in July 2026 totaled 411,072 units — a 20.5% year-on-year increase. Export volume that month stood at 179,841 units, representing 43.7% of total global sales. Meanwhile, BYD delivered 383 units in Japan during the same period.