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. 

Although Yamaha has long been known for building some of the world’s finest motorcycles, its ventures into the car world have been surprisingly limited and often under the radar, like when it helped develop iconic engines such as Toyota’s 4A-GE and 2ZZ-GE, the Lexus LFA’s V10, Ford’s Taurus SHO V6, and even Volvo’s 4.4-liter V8.

That might soon change, as the Japanese brand prepares to showcase something unexpected at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo: a three-wheeled trike that looks like a cross between a Morgan 3-Wheeler and a Polaris Slingshot.

New Take On Three Wheels

Called the Tricera, the project was first previewed three years ago with a sleek-looking concept. The design of the three-wheeler has progressed since then and now looks far more suitable for real-world road use.

However, don’t get too excited just yet, as there’s not yet any confirmation that Yamaha will actually produce and sell it to the public.

Read: Yamaha’s Tricera Is A Morgan Super 3 For 2033

The design of the Tricera shares some similarities with Yamaha’s current range of motorcycles, including its circular headlights and two small DRLs running horizontally on the fascia. It also sports a complex nose and small covers over the front wheels.

Yamaha has then added a pair of small wind deflectors at the front and a set of tiny wing mirrors, which were not present on the original concept. The interior now looks much more suitable for the road and sports a set of dark red bucket seats, a steering wheel, and gold paddle shifters.

Powering the Tricera is an electric motor, although it’s unclear how much power it has or how large its battery pack is. What we do know is that Yamaha has developed a three-wheel steering system for it, aiming to achieve “a whole new level of unity” between the vehicle and the driver.

The company has also equipped it with an adaptive sound device that modifies the tone of the electric powertrain, adding a layer of sensory engagement that electric vehicles often lack.

More Concepts On The Way

Alongside the Tricera, Yamaha will display several other innovations at the Tokyo show. Among them is the Motoroid, a two-wheeled concept capable of bending and twisting like something out of a sci-fi film, as well as the Proto BEV, an all-electric sports bike concept that hints at where Yamaha’s electric design language might be headed next.