BYD is preparing to make its move into one of Japan’s most tightly defined and popular vehicle segments with the Racco, a tiny EV that marks the brand’s first kei car. The pint-sized newcomer was introduced earlier today at the Japan Mobility Show as BYD’s first model designed exclusively for overseas markets.

At first glance, the Racco doesn’t stray far from established kei design cues, and that’s no surprise given the strict size and proportion rules governing the segment.

The windowline and fin-shaped pillars echo the previous-generation Mitsubishi ek Space, while the headlights and stance appear to draw inspiration from the Daihatsu Tanto.

More: Mitsubishi’s New Kei Van Channels Its Inner Pajero

The Racco features a short hood, upright windshield, sliding doors, flat sides, and a near-vertical rear end with almost no overhang. It has a C-shaped LED lighting signature on both ends, and rides on 15-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, it comes fitted with disc brakes on all four wheels.

The model measures 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long, 1,475 mm (58.1 inches) wide, and 1,800 mm (70.9 inches) long, in line with the narrow framework for kei cars.

Inside the four-seater cabin amenities include a digital cockpit with a small instrument cluster and a larger free-standing infotainment that is not usually found in the segment. We also expect a comprehensive ADAS suite and a heat pump for the A/C.

Powertrain Specs

BYD didn’t release the detailed specifications of the electric powertrain, but confirmed that the Racco will be front-wheel-drive. We also know it will be fitted with a “Blade” Lithium iron phosphate battery pack, available in two different capacities (short-range and long-range).

More: BYD’s Premium Z Sports Car Is Gunning Straight For Porsche’s Pride

According to reports, the 20 kWh battery will offer around 180 km (112 miles) of WLTC range although numbers remain unconfirmed. The EV is also expected to be compatible with fast charging of up to 100 kW. The floor-mounted battery will give it a lower center of gravity compared to ICE-powered kei cars, improving handling.

BYD plans to open pre-orders for the Racco in the summer of 2026, with sales commencing shortly after. Pricing is estimated to start at around ¥2.5 million ($16,500) before subsidies, positioning it squarely against the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV.

New LCV For Japan

Besides the kei car, BYD has also unveiled a new light commercial vehicle designed to comply with Japanese regulations that allow it to be driven with a standard driver’s license.

The BYD T35 features a cab-over design and will be available in box van and flatbed configurations. It with fitted with a fully electric powertrain generating up to 201 hp (150 kW / 203 PS) and 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) of torque. The Blade lithium iron phosphate battery is good for a WLTC range of 250 km (155 miles).

The flatbed version is exhibited with a mobile sauna stove and cold bath chiller, both using power from the battery. The market launch of the BYD T35 in Japan is scheduled for 2026.

BYD

Every so often, an automaker decides to walk straight into the lion’s den. Chinese giant BYD is doing exactly that by taking on Japan in one of its most tightly held automotive arenas.

And it’s not with some brash performance car or luxury SUV, but with something much humbler, and far more symbolic: a kei car, the pint-sized machine that’s been a fixture of Japanese roads since the aftermath of World War II.

More: Nissan’s Tiny Kei Car Hides A Big Surprise Inside Its Boxy Little Body

The company has just released a teaser for its first-ever electric kei car, designed specifically for Japan’s uniquely regulated microcar segment. The tiny EV will debut, likely in production form, later this month at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Based on the side profile, BYD’s new city car embraces the classic Kei boxy proportions. This model has short overhangs, a tall roofline, and wheels at the extreme corners to help maximize cabin space.

Spy photos circulating on Chinese social media indicate that it’ll have sliding rear doors, further boosting its practicality. Inside, it features a floating digital gauge cluster, a larger infotainment screen, and double A-pillars for better visibility.

Early indications are that the mini BYD will have a 20 kWh battery with a range somewhere around 180 km (111 miles) (WLTC). It’ll likely have a heat pump for more comfort and efficiency, and should support up to 100 kW fast charging.

Why It Matters

By American standards, those figures might seem small, but they’re appropriate for this class and size of car in Japan. Pricing is expected to start around ¥2.5 million (approximately $17,000), putting it below rivals like the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X EV when not accounting for incentives.

BYD has already sold a few thousand cars in Japan, but this is a very different foray. It’s a car built specifically for the Japanese market. Since the Kei segment is unique to Japan, it’s dominated by domestic products.

A foreign EV contender, particularly from China, represents a major strategic step. It might be akin to BYD introducing a Cadillac Escalade contender in America (tariffs be damned) for $40,000.

The new BYD will test consumer appetite for Chinese-made cars in Japan. It’ll also shed some light on how successful BYD’s global ambitions can be. We don’t expect to see this model in other markets, and it won’t even arrive in Japan until 2026. That all said, it’s a fascinating development. 

Daihatsu joins Toyota’s larger showcase at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, taking part in a series of concept car debuts that highlight each brand’s vision for the future. Among them is the Midget X, a fully electric concept designed to bring one of Daihatsu’s classic nameplates into a new era.

The Midget is a pint-sized workhorse with a big personality. Born in 1957 as a tiny three-wheeler for shopkeepers and delivery drivers, it zipped through Japan’s narrow streets with motorcycle-like agility.

More: Daihatsu To Host A Funeral For Its Copen Roadster Before Killing It

It returned in 1996 as the Midget II, blending nostalgic styling with a can-do spirit. Production ended in 2001, but it seems Daihatsu isn’t quite ready to let the story end there.

A Tiny Classic Recharged

The all-new Midget X has been reborn as a tiny LCV with an electric powertrain. Daihatsu said “it’s like a bicycle plus a little something extra”, adding that it is “the perfect size for anyone starting something new, whether it’s raising children, running a business, a hobby, or just playing”.

Its exterior design nods to the original Midget lineage, featuring round LED headlights and a helicopter-style windshield. It also has semi-exposed wheels with integrated lights and a battery charge indicator on the profile.

The concept includes a backpack-style storage compartment although this area can transform into an extended rear bed or a larger box for commercial use.

More: BYD Declares War On Japan’s Kei Cars With New Racco

Inside, the EV adopts a central driving position with an unconventional steering wheel flanked by two passenger seats for toddlers. Daihatsu designers added special touches like the tiny compartment next to the seat that can be filled with biscuits, and other toy-like elements around the cabin.

Another cool feature is the rotational handle design for the rear hinged doors, while a similar mechanism is used for opening the cargo area.

Daihatsu hasn’t released technical specifications yet, only noting that “because it’s small, it can fit into a variety of lifestyles,” and that it “aims to make everyone happy.”

Daihatsu

Carrying the Torch

The Midget X stands as the next chapter in Daihatsu’s story, carrying forward the legacy of some of its most influential models. Among them are the original Midget three-wheeler, the fourth-generation Hijet LCV, the first-gen Charade hatchback, the sporty Mira TR-XX, the Copen roadster, the second-gen Tanto kei car, and the Nibako mobility service that transforms LCVs into mobile shops.

More: Mitsubishi’s New Kei Van Channels Its Inner Pajero

For now, the Midget X is nothing more than a concept. Even so, it wouldn’t be surprising if it eventually transitions into a production model, potentially for both Japan and export markets.

After all, Toyota President and CEO, Koji Sato described the concept as the “Midget of the future” during the official presentation at the Japan Mobility Show:

“Making small cars is incredibly difficult. As someone who has been involved in car-making, I can say that from my heart. But Daihatsu continues to take on such challenges. Now, as then, Daihatsu’s car-making is staying the course. Going around town to listen to what people are saying… thinking about how to help people when it finds someone in trouble… racking its brain over how it can make the most of its technologies for making things small. This led to the Midget X.”

Interest in small EVs continues to grow, and this year’s Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo looks set to highlight how compact design and electric efficiency can go hand in hand. Suzuki’s lineup for 2025 brings that idea to life with a mix of concept and production models.

The company’s showcase is headlined by the world premiere of the Vision e-Sky concept, a preview of a fully electric kei car that will enter production in the near future.

Compact Optimism

According to the company, the minicar is designed for daily commuting and short weekend trips. It follows the theme of “Unique, Smart, Positive” and aims to evoke a “cheerful” mood. It also appears to be the first vehicle to adopt Suzuki’s redesigned logo, featuring a flatter design and a matte aluminum finish.

More: Suzuki Irons Out A New Logo For The First Time In Over 20 Years

The Vision e-Sky adopts a hatchback silhouette with a short hood, minimal overhangs, a floating roof, and clean surfacing. The C-shaped LED headlights are combined with an illuminated grille and matching taillights. It rides on futuristic aero-style wheel covers and features flush door handles, although these might change for production.

In line with kei car packaging regulations, the EV measures 3,395 mm (133.7 inches) long, 1,475 mm (58.1 inches) wide, and 1,625 mm (64 inches) tall. Suzuki didn’t reveal the specifications of the electric motor or the battery pack but promises a driving range of over 270 km (168 miles) between charges.

Suzuki

The interior looks close to production status. It features a digital cockpit, a floating center tunnel, ambient lighting, and a dashboard that doubles as a tray. We can also see touch-sensitive A/C controls, a futuristic steering wheel with integrated buttons, and new seats with purple headrests.

More: Suzuki’s Quirky Crossover Hides More Than A Fresh Face

The production version of the Vision e-Sky will arrive within the Japanese fiscal year 2026, which ends on March 31, 2027. As with the rest of Suzuki’s kei car lineup, sales will most likely be limited in Japan.

Other Exhibits

The Vision e-Sky will be joined by several two- and four-wheel vehicles, along with robots, micro-mobility solutions and outboard motors from Suzuki’s product lineup.

Among the automobiles we find the e Every Concept, an electric kei van with a 200 km (124-mile) range. First shown in 2023, it will soon evolve into a production model alongside the identical Daihatsu Hijet and Toyota Pixis Van.

Suzuki will also display the Fronx FFV Concept, powered by ethanol, and the Vitoris CBG that runs on CNG. As for production vehicles, visitors will be able to check out the new Suzuki XBee, along with the Spacia, e-Vitara, and Jimny Nomad.

Suzuki

Two Wheels and More

In the two-wheel segment, Suzuki will showcase a fully electric version of the classic VanVan motorcycle updated with modern styling cues and LED lighting.

It will be joined by the e-Address production electric scooter, the DR-Z4SM supermoto, the retro-flavored GSX-8T and GSX-8TT production motorcycles, the GSX-R1000R superbike, the ethanol-powered GIXXER SF 250 FFV, a hydrogen-powered version of the Burgman, and the e-PO folding electric bicycle.

More: Honda To Reveal Two Mystery World Premieres At Tokyo Show

The company will also display a range of mobility solutions, some of which are evolved versions of earlier 2023 concepts. These include the MOQBA 2, a four-legged platform that can carry people or products, the SUZU-RIDE 2, a four-wheeled personal mobility scooter, and the Glydways, an autonomous pod designed for car sharing.

Finally, the MITRA concept is a tiny four-wheeled electric vehicle with AI tech designed to serve as undercarriage for a variety of robots.

The Japan Mobility Show 2025 will open its doors to the public from October 24 to November 3 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center in the Ariake district.

Suzuki