Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has introduced its compact EV model, the Dolphin, to the Japanese market, marking its second passenger car offering in the country following the Atto 3. Available in two variants, standard and long-range, the Dolphin is competitively priced at 3.63 million yen ($24,570) and 4.07 million yen, respectively.
The base model is equipped with a 44.9 kWh battery pack, boasting an impressive range of 400 kilometers. Meanwhile, the long-range version features a larger 58.56 kWh battery pack, extending its range to 476 kilometers.
The Dolphin initially made its debut in China on August 29, 2021, and has since been available in three versions in its home market, with prices starting at RMB 116,800 ($16,013).
In terms of specifications, the Chinese and Japanese versions of the Dolphin exhibit slight variations. In China, the model measures 4,125 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, 1,570 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. In Japan, BYD offers the vehicle with slightly different dimensions, measuring 4,290 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, 1,550 mm in height, while maintaining the same wheelbase of 2,700 mm.
BYD made its official entry into the Japanese passenger car market on July 21, 2022, unveiling three battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including the Seal, Dolphin, and Atto 3 (known as the Yuan Plus in China). The company opted to distribute its cars through a network of dealers, aligning with the preferences of Japanese consumers.
The Atto 3 was the first BYD EV model to hit the Japanese market on January 31, 2023, retailing at 4.4 million yen. As of now, the Seal has not yet been introduced in Japan. BYD has ambitious plans to establish more than 100 showrooms across Japan by the end of 2025, reinforcing its commitment to the market.
BYD reported impressive sales figures for August 2023, with a record-breaking 274,386 new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold, marking a year-on-year increase of 56.87 percent and a month-on-month increase of 4.66 percent. The company’s overseas sales of NEVs also surged in August, reaching 25,023 units, reflecting a 37.72 percent increase from July.
Notably, the Dolphin model contributed significantly to BYD’s success, with 32,745 units sold in August alone. It ranked as the fourth best-selling BYD model for the month.
