Image: Thinkercar via X
In May, a new small hatchback BYD model in the right-hand-drive configuration was spotted in camouflage while parked at a testing facility.
Now, a video of this EV has been shared by Thinkercar on X, showing the car undertaking more testing and highlighting some key new details.
In the video, the potential upcoming model is seen doing a U-turn, where the front horizontal daytime running lights can be seen through the camouflaged front bumper.
These lights also acts as indicator lights which are spotted when the driver indicates left to do the U-turn.
Just prior to turning around, the location of the steering wheel is also spotted as being that of a right-hand-drive car.
That’s the same side as that seen on the earlier sighting, just over a month ago.
From the side, there are black wheel hubcaps on this prototype, which also appear to be around 14-inch wheels.
During the U-turn, the rear of the narrow-body car is also spotted, which comes with a relatively boxy rear end. Small indicator lights are also seen halfway up the car’s height.
As per previous sightings, this boxy small car being tested looks a lot like the small hatchbacks sold in Japan, also known as “Kei” cars.
These very popular models sell quite well there, thanks to the compact yet practical design, ideal for narrower streets and tight carparks.
Another reason behind this body being so popular is how affordable they are, making them quite popular with younger buyers too.
Given many of the Kei car models are powered by an engine with up to 660 cc of capacity, an electric variant under works by BYD could really help put the NEV brand on Japanese consumers’ shortlist in the coming years.
BYD’s Japanese sales have been on the upward trend since its launch in the market. In 2024, the company sold 2,223 cars in the country. That was mainly thanks to its Atto 3, Seal and Dolphin.
Given that BYD’s compact hatchback, the Seagull, is not currently offered in Japan, the potential upcoming microcar from the brand could be an ideal product for that market.
On top of that, it could be a model that the company sells in many other countries, helping it further grow its lineup of globally available products.
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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Being right hand drive makes it ready for Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand where it could sell well, I would think.
It won't sell well here. Strayans don't like Matchbox diecast tinkertoy cars.
how do you know? None are for sale.
Look around. There are lots of ICE microcars in the world ... you never see them here.
Because marketing has made people in Australia think they need a bigger more expensive vehicle...
That's nothing to do with potential demand, and everything to do with safety. We used to have tons of micros, but the increasing race towards huge heavy wankpanzer utes and SUVs has made driving a small car a scary proposition.
That may be true, but it doesn't alter the truth of what I said. NO demand currently, who cares about potential demand IF laws are passed against what you deem to be "huge heavy wankpanzers". I live in the real world.
I find the fact that sales of vehicles that are not actually available = 0 to be not surprising.
We used to have the Suzuki Mighty Boy, Daihatsu Charade, Subaru Brumby. Untill the car manufacturers realised, that we had very lax emissions standards, and convinced us that we all needed a giant Ute, to take us to the shopping centre
Hopefully that will change.
I see Nissan Micras, Mitsubishi Colts, Suzukis, Kia Picantos etc. every day. The demand for these cars isn't huge, but it's not zero either. Maybe if car brands advertised small cars instead of "look how tough I am conquering nature like a real man in my SUV/ute" they'd see more sales.
And Japan ...
YES please. We want.
Around 6000 micro cars are sold in Australia each year.
So, if they get 10% of that market share, that's at least 600 sold per year.
Swapping the steering wheel for that many sales will impact the tiny profit this car would make the company.
I'm also sure this design is what the low-income single car households require.