Image: Thinkercar via X
BYD appears to be releasing new models every month as it expands into dozens of new and existing markets outside of China.
Now, another new small hatchback model in the right-hand-drive configuration has been spotted in camouflage while parked at a company’s testing facility.
It was shared on X by Thinkercar, revealing a close-up from an angle, which showed the front bonnet, doors on one side of the car, as well as a centre screen and steering wheel.
This photo of the boxy small car being tested resembles small hatchbacks sold in Japan, also known as “Kei” cars.
These models are very popular in the country thanks to their compact yet practical design, which keeps the length to 3.4 metres.
Affordability of these models also makes them quite popular with younger buyers, and are likely to be powered by an ICE with up to 660 cc of capacity.
In 2024, Honda N-Box, one of the most popular models sold over 200,000 units in Japan, making it the best-selling car in the country, even out-selling the Toyota Corolla.
For comparison, BYD sold 2,223 cars in Japan during the same year, thanks to its Atto 3, Seal and Dolphin.
Even with these figures, it outsold Toyota in its home market, which sold just 2,038 EVs in Japan during 2024.
The sighting of the new model from BYD comes only days after it was spotted parked on a road with its bonnet open for testing.
If this model is to compete in the Japanese market under the Kei car regulations, it’s length would make it one of the smallest city cars from the brand so far.
Currently, the company’s best-seller in China, the Seagull electric hatchback, is 3.78 metres long, which is nearly 0.4 metres longer than the Kei car requirements.
This newly spotted model in development could be heading to more right-hand-drive markets than just Japan, making EVs more affordable and accessible in more parts of the world.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
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