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Tag: global expansion

  • BYD enters Japan’s kei car segment with affordable Raco electric mini car AutoguideIndia

    BYD enters Japan’s kei car segment with affordable Raco electric mini car AutoguideIndia

    Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has expanded its presence in Japan with the launch of the Raco, its first electric mini car designed for the country’s highly competitive kei car segment. The move is an important step in BYD’s strategy to strengthen its position in Japan after entering the passenger vehicle market in 2023.

    Priced at 1.95 million yen before taxes and government subsidies, the Raiko is positioned as one of the most affordable electric mini cars in Japan. Although the vehicle is eligible for lower government subsidies than the Nissan Sakura, resulting in a slightly higher effective purchase price after incentives, BYD believes its competitive pricing and feature-rich package will appeal to Japanese buyers.

    The company has set an ambitious target of securing 10,000 orders for the Raiko by the end of 2026, reflecting its confidence in the model’s ability to improve its foothold in the Japanese market.

    Speaking at the launch, BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji said the sales target was driven by the company’s determination to establish a strong presence in the country rather than detailed market projections. He said annual sales at this level could be sustainable if each dealership consistently generated about one order per day.

    The Raco offers a driving range of up to 320 km on a full charge and becomes the first electric kei car to feature sliding rear doors, a practical feature that is highly valued by Japanese consumers for urban mobility and ease of access.

    Industry analysts see the launch as a strategic move to increase BYD’s brand recognition in Japan’s kei car segment, which accounts for about a third of the country’s passenger vehicle sales and has traditionally been dominated by domestic manufacturers such as Honda, Suzuki and Nissan.

    According to Tang Jin, senior researcher at Mizuho Bank, Raiko’s price reflects BYD’s serious commitment to compete in Japan. However, he added that the company may need to introduce promotional campaigns or additional features if demand is lower than expected.

    By the end of 2025, BYD had sold more than 7,400 passenger vehicles in Japan since market entry in early 2023. Raco’s launch highlights the growing ambitions of Chinese automakers as they expand into overseas markets and step up competition with established Japanese brands, even in one of the country’s most fiercely contested auto sectors.

  • LEPAS accelerates global expansion at 2026 International Business Summit |

    LEPAS accelerates global expansion at 2026 International Business Summit |

    LEPAS is set to accelerate its global expansion at the 2026 International Business Summit. Held under the theme “Elegance Moves the World”, the summit will serve as an important platform for the brand to advance its international strategy, marking an important milestone in the global rollout of LEPAS.

    Often in an area defined by numbers, LEPAS chooses a different language. Not loud, but more refined. Over the coming month, the brand will articulate its vision through a three-part progression—showcase, validation, and co-creation—that will offer thoughtful answers to a fundamental question: how elegance evolves from a concept to a lived-in mobility experience.

    The first movement will begin at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, where LEPAS will unveil its NEV strategy along with the world premiere of the L6 BEV and LEPAS L4 BEV. Rooted in leopard aesthetics, classy space and elegant driving, the brand offers not just product, but a class-defining NEV portfolio – a streamlined yet confident start to its first NEV product offensive.

    From unveiling to proof, the story continues. After the show, the LEPAS Global Journey of Elegant Driving will begin. Over long distances and in real-world conditions, the LEPAS L6 will be experienced not as a specification sheet, but as a presence – measured, sure and naturally refined.

    Additionally, LEPAS extends its vision beyond the vehicle. During the summit, the inaugural LEPAS Global Partners Conference will be held, bringing together the global network of distributors, suppliers and ecosystem partners. Here, the first group of Global Elegant Lifestyle Partners will be formally recognized. It marks a significant leap from brand expression to elegant ecosystem co-creation.

    An equally important manifestation appears in space. The upgraded LEPAS Elegant Lifestyle House will open for the first time with a curated LEPAS Garden Gathering. Conceived as an immersive environment, it presents a concrete interpretation of the brand’s world – where product, design and lifestyle converge into a singular experience. It is here that the LEPAS philosophy – elegant, exquisite, confident – ​​is not just described, but felt.

    The trajectory of LEPAS is inseparable from the foundation of Chery Group. Positioned as the preferred brand for an elegant mobility life and guided by Drive Your Elegance, LEPAS draws strength from a global system defined by depth and consistency. Today, Chery Group operates in more than 130 countries and regions and has maintained its position as China’s leading passenger vehicle exporter for 23 consecutive years. With a cumulative global user base of over 19 million, this scale provides not only reach but also flexibility – a sustainable platform for LEPAS’s global journey.

    Additionally, AIMOGA will make a special appearance, offering a glimpse into the future of human AI assistants. Subtle but visionary, it adds a new layer of intelligence to the growing LEPAS ecosystem.

    At IBS 2026, LEPAS will bring brands, products, channels and ecosystems into a coherent whole – completing an important step from global expansion to integrated realization. This is not a sudden acceleration, but a deliberate unfolding – introducing a more streamlined, more sustainable expression of elegance to the global NEV landscape.