Chinese automaker BYD is set to introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle in Japan this year, as reported by Reuters. The company aims to expand its presence in the country by offering seven or eight models, including battery electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids by 2027.
BYD plans to launch its fourth battery-powered electric vehicle, the Sealion 7 crossover, in Japan starting April 2025. This strategic move is part of the automaker’s initiative to enhance its product range and dealer network in Japan.
Plug-in hybrids, which combine a battery with a traditional fuel engine, are designed to operate on either power source. The company has seen a surge in sales in Japan, with over 2,200 vehicles sold last year, representing a more than 50% increase from the previous year.
BYD Auto Japan president Atsuki Tofukuji mentioned earlier that the company is looking to introduce plug-in hybrid vehicles in the Japanese market. Additionally, BYD Auto plans to commence vehicle production at a new plant in Indonesia by early 2026, as announced by Indonesia Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani.
Since entering the Indonesian market in June last year, BYD has sold 11,220 vehicles, all imported from China. The company has secured a 126-hectare plot in the Subang Smartpolitan industrial estate in West Java to support its expansion plans. With an investment of IDR11.7 trillion ($721 million), BYD aims to establish a facility with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
The introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles in Japan and the expansion into the Indonesian market signify BYD’s commitment to sustainable mobility and its strategic growth plans in the Asia-Pacific region. Stay tuned for more updates on BYD’s innovative developments in the automotive industry.
