China's BYD Auto has confirmed previously announced plans to enter the Japanese passenger car market. The company announced prices for the first model available to the Japanese - a compact electric crossover BYD Atto 3.
The start of sales of the car is scheduled for January 31, 2023, in the specification for Japan, BYD Atto 3 has a right-hand drive and controls, adapted headlights and some other features.
Atto 3 will be released in China in 2021; the length, width and height of this model are 4455, 1875 and 1615 mm respectively, the wheelbase is 2720 mm. The machine is equipped with an electric motor with a power of 150 kW (204 hp) and a torque of 310 Nm. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 58.56 kWh, one charge is enough for a range of up to 485 km.
The curb weight of the machine is 1750 kg, the drive is only front.
The standard equipment of the crossover, among other things, includes a set of driver assistance systems (including automatic emergency braking), a media system with support for Apple Carplay and Android Auto, as well as the ability to power external consumers from an electric vehicle battery.
The Japanese will be able to buy BYD Atto 3 at a price of 4.4 million yen. Later, two more models will become available - the Dolphin subcompact hatchback and the Seal mid-range sedan.
The entry of Chinese passenger cars into the Japanese market is a milestone, as Japan still has the most advanced domestic auto industry in the world. However, it is unlikely that BYD Auto is counting on great commercial success; rather, entering the market of the Land of the Rising Sun for a Chinese company is a matter of prestige.
BYD expects to form a network of 100 official dealers in Japan by the end of 2025.
In addition to the sale, consumers will be offered the opportunity to rent by subscription for up to four years.
It should be noted here that since 2015, the Chinese company has been relatively successful in supplying electric buses to the Land of the Rising Sun - they are, in particular, used on city routes in Kyoto.
Chinese BYD began expansion into the Japanese car market
