BYD made quite a stir when it announced that it has a kei car in the works. A prototype of the BYD Racco—Japanese for ‘sea otter’—was then displayed at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show shortly after.
While the Racco certainly looks the part of a Japanese utility car, BYD has kept coy about its details and specs—until now. The Chinese carmaker recently announced that the Racco will go on sale in Japan later this year, and also revealed some initial specs and interior details.
At launch, the Racco will be offered in a standard variant and a long-range configuration. The former will utilize a 20kWh battery with a projected range of 200km, while the latter will use a 30kWh pack, which should be good for 300km. Both variants will be equipped with FWD systems and quick-charging capabilities.
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Inside, the cabin looks similar to what you’d find in a Seagull or a Dolphin. The steering wheel is complemented by the main screen, with two-tone finishes dressing up the interior.
However, unlike the other subcompacts in the Ocean series, the Racco features a traditional gearshift. The lever is situated next to a row of physical buttons and knobs for climate control and other functions. It looks like the Japanese market has convinced BYD to go with more traditional layouts and designs.
The exact cargo and carrying capacities have yet to be unveiled, but the brand mentioned that a folding bike and some shopping bags should fit along with two or three passengers. It’ll be interesting to see how BYD releases its sea otter into the Japanese market come the summer of 2026.
More photos of the 2026 BYD Racco:
