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China's BYD launches third EV model in Japan

65 Comments
By Daniel Leussink

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65 Comments
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Japan should ban Chinese EVs as long as China bans Japanse seafood. Neither country "needs" each other in these product areas.

12 ( +30 / -18 )

I see these advertised a lot recently. If I ever buy a car again it will be a Honda.

16 ( +23 / -7 )

How much is the tariff?

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Budget friendly EV vehicles from China are a boon to the middle-class families around the globe.

Japanese products have already lost their trustworthiness in many parts of the world.

-29 ( +6 / -35 )

My guess is it will be mainly those of Chinese descent living in Japan that will buy them. Just look at S. Korean cars in Japan, you basically can't, because so few sell here... and the same goes for Japanese cars in S. Korea. Asian car buyers, at least in Japan and S. Korea, appear to be fiercely loyal to their own country. In 2023, Japanese manufacturers sold 5.2 million cars in the USA. In the same year, the total sales of all Japanese car brands in S. Korea was just 24,000 units. The U.S. population is about 7 times that of S. Korea, so even accounting for that difference it would work out to 168,000.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

These BYD vehicles should be banned from Japan due to data security and privacy risks. They are collecting information on every driver, every trip they take and areas around Japan where they drive. Cameras all over them filming.

Japanese will not buy them anyway.

6 ( +22 / -16 )

I drove an all electric car for 10 days on a trip to Florida. It is not for me.

15 ( +23 / -8 )

PayapullaToday  04:41 pm JST

Japanese products have already lost their trustworthiness in many parts of the world.

There is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, with some products, buyers will pay more for MIJ over MIC.

14 ( +24 / -10 )

If the spate of fires is anything to go by, it seems BYD stands for Burn Your Driveway.

No thanks,

5 ( +18 / -13 )

These BYD vehicles should be banned from Japan due to data security and privacy risks. They are collecting information on every driver, every trip they take and areas around Japan where they drive. Cameras all over them filming.

I'm less concerned about China spying on me than my own government spying on me.

Having said that, I'd never buy one due to dependability and safety issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HpkDUWAKFM

6 ( +14 / -8 )

Japanese products have already lost their trustworthiness in many parts of the world.

Yes, with Toyoda, the flagship Japan Inc. compromising its integrity. Japan has lost the trust and credibility.

-22 ( +5 / -27 )

These cars are spying on you.

My runs to the bottle shop and porno store are no longer secret.

Damn....I'll have to outsmart the outsmartable

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

Japan should ban Chinese EVs as long as China bans Japanse seafood.

If this happens, Toyota/Lexus will be banned from the Chinese market as well. I am sure there are more Toyota /Lexus automobiles selling in China than BYD in Japan !

-10 ( +9 / -19 )

Just like Japanese vehicles in the US and Europe 50 or so years ago. Ignorant voices slagging them off as poor quality and saying they will never buy them.

BYD and other Chinese brands will be the Toyota of the future. Just pop into the showroom in Yokohama and check them out. Far better build quality that Tesla.

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

How much is the tariff?

Japan does not impose tariffs on cars, EV or not.

Conversely, the EU and UK slap 10% on all Japanese imports while the USA puts 2.5% on cars built in Japan and a whopping chicken tax 25% on trucks. Not exactly bastions of free market economics.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

BYD Seal in UK start from £45k upwards... Nearly half the price in Jpn/Asia?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Never buy anything from this malignant state - buy a car from any other country in the world which stand for ethical standards.

For all the suffering China causes people, both domestically and internationally, they should be made to suffer in the parts which hurt them most, ie: Financially.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

quercetumToday  05:21 pm JST

Japanese products have already lost their trustworthiness in many parts of the world.

Yes, with Toyoda, the flagship Japan Inc. compromising its integrity. Japan has lost the trust and credibility.

Do the people in your China know this? lol

Sales of Lexus vehicles in China 2023: 181,411 units,

https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/40367057.html

Sales of Toyota vehicles in China 2023: 161,561 units.

https://carnewschina.com/2024/01/10/top-selling-car-brands-in-december-2023-in-china-byd-first-vw-second-toyota-third/

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Besides the Chinese government subsidies for EVs, there is the problem that everything manufactured in China uses electricity from coal fired power plants. Making EVs with power from coal plants? Really?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I am going for a test drive. I'll get one if I like it. Just for my curiosity.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Mr KiplingToday  05:44 pm JST

Just like Japanese vehicles in the US and Europe 50 or so years ago. Ignorant voices slagging them off as poor quality and saying they will never buy them.

BYD and other Chinese brands will be the Toyota of the future.

Very unlikely. Japanese cars evolved, and the J-makers worked together with US auto companies. Leading up to most Japanese cars sold in the NA market now being made in the United States.

China has a political problem (being a one party dictatorship) that poses a poor corporate environment, and carries political security issues. Not to mention being a strategic adversary rather than an ally. So no, Chinese cars are never going to be the next Toyota other than in your dreams.

Most Americans psychologocally won't drive Chinese cars, and with a 100% tariff, economically either.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

Please Japan don’t buy them they are rubbish.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

"Bad money drives out good money," and the same can be said about cars.

In the EU, electric cars made by Chinese manufacturers were threatening to drive out electric cars from other EU countries. Naturally, they were subject to regulation.

This is not because Chinese cars were of superior quality, but because they were cheap.

Are there any high-quality Chinese products? Doesn't everyone know that everything is just a cheap copy of other countries?

In the US, a cold wave hit and electric cars could no longer be charged, leaving many stranded cars, and electric cars themselves have not yet adapted to the environment.

In Korea, anti-Japanese protests often occur, but Lexus continues to sell well.

Is there any reason other than the fact that it is so good that even anti-Japanese Koreans choose Lexus over Mercedes?

On the other hand, who in Japan would buy Hyundai, which is just a cheap copy of Mitsubishi, or Kia, famous for the Kia Challenge? lol

5 ( +9 / -4 )

BYD launched the Atto 3 and Dolphin EVs in Japan last year, selling about 2,500 since opening its first Japanese dealership in Yokohama in February 2023.

Most of customers are Chinese people in business from China or permanent residents. That's I've heard. I guess these Chinese people in Japan would buy the new model for sure.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Mr Kipling Today 05:44 pm JST

.. Just pop into the showroom in Yokohama and check them out. Far better build quality that Tesla.

Not surprised. Yokohama is infested with "those" people. As SaikoPhysco wrote above:

SaikoPhysco Today 04:48 pm JST

My guess is it will be mainly those of Chinese descent living in Japan that will buy them

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I saw a couple of BYD at the Osaka Auto Show. Not bad looking on the outside. Utterly ridiculous looking on the inside.

I love BEV's. But, they still have to look and feel like cars. Not something out of a low-budget sci-fi movie.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The road conditions and climate in many parts of China can be a bit more demanding than Japan, and from what I've seen, vehicle construction there is quite robust. So I'll keep an open mind until I've read the reviews.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Makes we want to move to China, This is a stinging reminder that Japan hasn't made any progress since the Sony Walkman circa 1982. The LDP-led system kills any initiative or creativity.

-18 ( +3 / -21 )

So why did the price jump from $24,759 in China to about $34,000 in Japan??? Is it Protectionism or shipping and dealers markups?? or all three?

The Japanese consumers will NEVER get to enjoy the benefits of a true free market and free competition for as long as everything must be marked up 2 or 3 times by the Middle Men.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Makes we want to move to China,

Sayonara! We will miss you.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

It could be argued that China has already surpassed Japan in technology, but you won't read that in the Japan News!

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

The the car is as good as the models I am all for it , LOL

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I'm not a Chinese troll, but the uncomfortable truth is that Japanese companies have been outsmarted by their Chinese counterparts. Buy Chinese!

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

Unfair trade shouldn't be allowed.

Japan should tax these imports to the same level that the Chinese govt provides investment money into their building. Fair is fair.

I fear the day when Japan doesn't have any vehicle manufacturing, and doesn't own their own power generation or construction or farms. Japan should be trying to expand manufacturing not curtail it.

The more imports that democracies purchase from dictatorships, the more we are funding those dictatorships. That's never a good idea.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Roger Gusain Today 08:52 pm JST

It could be argued that China has already surpassed Japan in technology, but you won't read that in the Japan News!

It could be argued that China has already surpassed Japan in STOLEN technology.

There, fixed it for you.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

The Chinese models (I don't mean the cars) are better looking!

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

More trash products with CCP ability to spy on Japan. LoL

4 ( +8 / -4 )

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I buy a Chinese car. Will buy a Nissan before I buy PYT, KFC, BFG or BYD whatever the eff it’s called. Thanks, but no thanks.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Anything like from a china company can’t be trusted. Not when the likes of #poohxi and his goons can take control. This is the CCP. When are people going to wake up and realize the big picture

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Nothing more trustworthy than a 2 litre Toyota Hybrid without direct injection, turbo or particle filter.

I have zero interest to buy the design to fail electric vehicle with huge insurance premiums because every scratch means new battery

all EV offer is more modularization and more control over the customer, screw that.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Do the people in your China know this? lol

Sales of Lexus vehicles in China 2023: 181,411 units,

https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/40367057.html

Sales of Toyota vehicles in China 2023: 161,561 units.

Toyoda sales is down in China. Just look it up.

Your data doesn’t support anything. It’s just the units sold. Just a number. Nice try though.

Your data also does not refute the fact that Toyoda falsified records, does it.

Too bad the flagship of Japan Inc compromised it integrity.

What happened to the Bushido?

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Makes me want to move to China, This is a stinging reminder that Japan hasn't made any progress since the Sony Walkman circa 1982. The LDP-led system kills any initiative or creativity.

That's a bit harsh, Roger. Japan may be in terminal decline, but it doesn't have labor camps.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I buy a Chinese car. Will buy a Nissan before I buy PYT, KFC, BFG or BYD whatever the eff it’s called. Thanks, but no thanks.

You car has parts made in China you know. They are the suppliers.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

quercetum Today 11:28 pm JST

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I buy a Chinese car. Will buy a Nissan before I buy PYT, KFC, BFG or BYD whatever the eff it’s called. Thanks, but no thanks.

You car has parts made in China you know. They are the suppliers.

Thankfully not all the parts are made in china. The more vital parts are mostly made in Japan.

You ever wonder why the rich & affluent china-nese would rather buy branded goods that are NOT made in china? Or why they are taking their money out of china?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Forget the vehicles -- I want to see more of the models!

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

@ianToday

How much is the tariff?

0%

@SaikoPhysco

same goes for Japanese cars in S. Korea.

Japanese cars sold well in Korea until 10 years ago, then the quality and the performance of Korean brand cars began to soar and Japanese brand car sales nosedived.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a60514826/hyundai-ioniq-5-n-first-drive/

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Is by Far the Best Sports EV I've Ever Driven

PUBLISHED: APR 17, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

It's so good that it could save the future of race tracks in the United States, if it comes to that.

Better than Tesla Model S Plaid, Porsche Taycan according to reviewers.

@Roger Gusain

The Chinese models (I don't mean the cars) are better looking!

They are Japanese models. Auto companies do not fly in models, they hire locals.

@Wesley

BYD owners in china need to subscribe and pay a fee to have the heating or cooling function in their cars turned on remotely

This is nothing new, it's called subscription. BMW and Tesla pioneered this business model.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

When will the Japanese auto makers begin to make EVs?

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

@NB

When will the Japanese auto makers begin to make EVs?

They do, it is just that they are 10 years behind the Chinese in terms of technology and refinement.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

@Samit Basu - does anyone actually fact check you on your fact checks? Here is a graph of Japanese car registrations from 2001 to 2023 in S. Korea. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1097723/south-korea-japanese-car-registration-number/ Sales did jump a bit from 2015 to 2018, and then dropped back to around 24,000 a year but even then, at the peak sales were just 3% market share. Currently they're around 1.6%. Japanese cars have never sold "well" in S. Korea. Hyundai and Kia together have more than 10% market share in the USA.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

My last thought on this subject. BYD is now exporting these cars which basically means it can no longer hide behind a protective domestic media and Govt. any longer. Their car quality will be held to a high level of scrutiny going forward where they are exporting them... so basically time will tell. Some people won't buy them because they're made in China anyway, just like some people won't buy American, Japanese, or S. Korean cars. Me, if after a few years the quality ends up being quite good, as good as other companies, and the price is very reasonable, I might buy one. Heck... I'm already buying crap loads of stuff Made in China now.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@SaikoPhysco

Sales did jump a bit from 2015 to 2018, and then dropped back to around 24,000 a year but even then, at the peak sales were just 3% market share. Currently they're around 1.6%.

You need to consider in terms of market share percentage, not raw numbers.

In Korea, 20% of markets are to foreign brands, mostly German luxury brands. It's not possible for foreign brands to compete directly against local Korean brands because of maintenance and service logistics. Korean brand cars can be repaired and service at a fraction of time and cost of foreign brands.

German, Italian, and British luxury and ultra-luxury brands can justify their long service downtime and high maintenance cost for being European luxury, Japanese brands can't do the same. You can't ask buyers of Japanese brand cars to pay BMW and Mercedes service cost and downtime, but that's exactly what Japanese brands were asking Korean consumers to do in Korea. This was justifiable 10 years ago, but not today where local consumers consider Japanese brands inferior to Korean brands nowadays.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Buy Chinese EV!

All your data are belong to them!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan does not impose tariffs on cars, EV or not.

Conversely, the EU and UK slap 10% on all Japanese imports while the USA puts 2.5% on cars built in Japan and a whopping chicken tax 25% on trucks. Not exactly bastions of free market economics.

The first sentence is indeed correct. However, the second paragraph is partially not correct. The EU and the UK have respectively an FTA (EPA) with Japan, under which vehicles of Japanese origin currently have a lower tariff and will eventually have a zero-tariff. I must admit that I don't know for the US-JP FTA.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

They do, it is just that they are 10 years behind the Chinese in terms of technology and refinement.

Japan is a great nation, with great talents and with enormous human resources. They could have done much better. The problem is that the conservative mentality of the ruling circles wants to adhere to the past.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If the spate of fires is anything to go by, it seems BYD stands for Burn Your Driveway.

No thanks,

Exactly, I would never buy that heap

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If the cars are as good as the Models, I'm all for it and buying it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is there anyone who seriously believes that Japan is behind China in EV technology?

Unfortunately, those people probably don't know what a patent is.

Korean and Chinese cars are still far from surpassing Japanese cars in performance.

The same goes for safety.

If you want to get into a Chinese or Korean car and be cremated within seconds, I recommend purchasing one. You'll definitely be able to pay for the cremation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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