Key facts
- Yanase, a dealer of luxury imported vehicles, has partnered with BYD.
- Yanase opened its first BYD electric vehicle showroom in Yokohama on July 13.
- BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji expressed enthusiasm for the Japanese market.
- BYD plans to have over 100 dealerships in Japan by the end of 2025.
- BYD sold 1,861 vehicles in Japan during the first seven months of 2025.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has entered into its first partnership with a Chinese automaker by collaborating with Japanese luxury vehicle dealer Yanase. Yanase opened a showroom in Yokohama on July 13, displaying BYD's electric vehicles, aiming to boost brand trust and expand its market presence in Japan. BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji expressed excitement about introducing new options to the Japanese automotive market.
BYD officially debuted in Japan on January 31, 2023, with its ATTO 3 electric SUV, initially available at 20 locations offering product information and test drives. The company has ambitious plans to establish over 100 dealerships across Japan by the end of 2025, with Tofukuji already working on details for 33 locations. Beyond the ATTO 3, BYD intends to introduce a compact model named Dolphin in mid-2023 and a sedan called Seal in the latter half of 2023. Despite these efforts, BYD has faced challenges in gaining significant market share, selling only 1,861 vehicles in Japan during the first seven months of 2025.