China's BYD Auto has started shipping its passenger cars to Japan for the first time. To do this, in early July, the Chinese created a subsidiary company BYD Auto Japan in the Land of the Rising Sun, and on July 21 announced a product line with which BYD will try to succeed in Japan.
In such a developed country, the company will offer only pure electric vehicles. From 2023, three products will be released in Japan - the Atto 3 mid-size crossover, the Dolphin subcompact hatchback and the Seal mid-range sedan.
The first Japanese will be able to buy a mid-size crossover Atto 3, which is produced with only one electric motor with a capacity of 152 kW (204 hp), the cruising range on a single charge reaches 485 km.
In the middle of next year, the Dolphin subcompact hatchback will begin to be delivered to the Japanese market. It is equipped with 70 kW (94 hp) or 130 kW (170 hp) motors, front-wheel drive in both cases. Power reserve - up to 471 km.
Produced in China since May 2022, the Seal sedan will be available to the Japanese in the second half of next year. In terms of form factor, this car is close to the American Tesla Model S. Seal is made in three versions - with one 150 kW (200 hp) engine and front-wheel drive, with one 230 kW (310 hp) engine and front-wheel drive or with two motors with a power of 160 kW + 230 kW (218 + 313 hp) and all-wheel drive. The lithium-ion battery provides a range of up to 555 km.
BYD Auto intends to act in Japan thoroughly - they will create full-fledged sales and service networks. 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 will try to conquer the Japanese car market
