BYD Sales in Japan Doubled to 4,536 Units During 2025

Japan Import Market Records Historical Growth Recovery

According to the latest data released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA), the Japanese market for imported vehicles (excluding Japanese domestic brands manufactured abroad) recorded a 3% year-on-year increase for the 2025 fiscal year. Total sales reached 238,081 units, marking the first time in seven years that the import segment has seen growth.

While the overall market grew, traditional luxury leaders faced significant headwinds. Mercedes-Benz, which maintains the top spot for imported vehicles in Japan, saw its sales volume decline by 6% to 49,654 units. Similarly, BMW, ranked second in the market, experienced a 7% decrease in sales, falling to 34,044 units.

These declines suggest that established European luxury brands are losing ground to specialized electric vehicle manufacturers and new entrants entering the regional market.

Imported EV Sector Drives Overall Market Momentum

The primary driver behind Japan's import recovery was the robust performance of the pure electric vehicle (EV) sector. Sales of imported EVs surged by 34% to reach 33,299 units. This sector has now achieved seven consecutive years of growth in Japan, reflecting a steady, long-term transition toward electrification. Imported EVs now account for 14% of the total imported car market share, representing a 3% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

The "Other" category in JAIA's data, which largely consists of Tesla sales (as the company does not publicly disclose specific Japanese volume), recorded 13,717 units, indicating sustained high demand for premium American electric vehicles.

BYD Performance and Market Reshuffle

China’s BYD emerged as one of the most significant growth stories in the Japanese market for 2025. The company’s sales volume doubled during the fiscal year, reaching a total of 4,536 units. This rapid expansion follows BYD’s strategic rollout of models like the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal, which have been tailored to meet the specific size and technology requirements of Japanese urban environments.

(Exchange rate: RMB 6.9 = USD 1)