BYD takes 20% of Japan’s EV imports in January after launching just last year
Watch out, Toyota. BYD continues its dominant overseas expansion after accounting for over 20% of Japan’s EV imports last month. After launching just last year, BYD is already making its presence known as Japan lags behind the auto industry’s shift to electric.
BYD accounts for one-fifth of Japan’s EV imports
According to new data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA) released Wednesday, Japan’s total EV imports reached 1,186. That number is up 11% from last year.
Of the 1,186 electric cars imported into the nation, BYD accounted for 217 of them. Although this is still a small number in the grand scheme of things, it’s impressive given that BYD just launched EVs in the country last year. More importantly, Japan isn’t known for its imports.
BYD officially entered Japan’s auto market last January, launching its affordable Atto 3 (Yuan Plus in China) electric SUV.
In September, BYD launched another low-cost EV, its Dolphin electric hatch. Starting at ¥3.63 million ($24,500), BYD aims to rival Toyota on its home turf.
With a 70 kWh battery, the Dolphin EV can travel up to 250 miles (400 km). An extended range version (150 kWh battery) offers up to 295 miles (476 km) range, starting at ¥4 million ($27,000).
BYD plans to launch its Seal electric sedan this spring while expanding its network to include over 100 outlets by 2025.
The Chinese automaker already accounted for over 1% of Japan’s total auto sales last month. The growth comes as domestic automakers like Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Mazda lag behind the market.
Of the over 11.2 million vehicles Toyota sold last year, only 104,000, or less than 1%, were all-electric. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Model Y topped the RAV4 and Corolla for the best-selling car title globally last year as the industry shifts to EVs.
Electrek’s Take
Japan is not known for importing vehicles. Domestic automakers like Toyota and Nissan dominate the region’s auto sales.
In the first half of last year, imports accounted for only 5% of Japan’s total market. And it was the first time import sales were up in two years.
Most imports were luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. BYD’s growing presence (although still relatively small) is meaningful. As the automaker ramps exports, BYD will be a brand to watch in Japan.
Japan’s reluctance toward all-electric vehicles is beginning to show as EV imports continue building. BYD and others look to take advantage as buyers look for the latest tech and efficiency.
Source: CarNewsChina, JAIA
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European logistics firm Contargo is adding twenty of Mercedes’ new, 600 km-capable eActros battery electric semi trucks to its trimodal delivery fleet, bringing zero-emission shipping to Germany’s hinterland.
With over 300 miles of all-electric range, the new Mercedes eActros 600 electric semi truck was designed for (what a European would call) long-haul trucking. Now, after officially entering production at the company’s Wörth plant in Bavaria last month, the eActros 600 is reaching its first customer: Contargo.
With the addition of the twenty new Mercedes, Contargo’s electric truck fleet has grown to 60 BEVs, with plans to increase that total to 90. And, according to Mercedes, Contargo is just the first.
The German truck company says it has plans to deliver fifty (50) of the 600 kWh battery-equipped electric semi trucks to German shipping companies by the close of 2024.
Contargo’s 20 eActros 600 trucks were funded in part by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport as part of a broader plan to replace a total of 86 diesel-engined commercial vehicles with more climate-friendly alternatives. The funding directive is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and the applications were approved by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility.
Electrek’s Take
Electric semi trucks are racking up millions of miles in the US, and abroad. As more and more pilot programs begin to pay off, they’re going to lead to more orders for battery electric trucks and more reductions in both diesel demand and harmful carbon emissions.
We can’t wait to see more.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Contargo, via Electrive.
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Isuzu is giving Red Bull electrified wings – the iconic drinks company is officially the first to put the production version of its new-for-2025 Isuzu NRR-EV medium duty electric box truck to work in North America.
Deployed by Red Bull North America, these first-ever customer Isuzu NRR-EV medium duty trucks are busy delivering cans of Red Bull products throughout Southern California with zero tailpipe emissions, marking the first time the best-selling low-cab/cabover box truck brand in the US can make such a claim.
“Today marks a major milestone for the industry and for us. Watching the NRR-EV evolve from a concept to a viable operating product is a big deal,” explains Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “Our teams and our clients have put so much time and effort into making this happen, and it speaks to our teamwork and dedication to more sustainable transportation solutions. It is no longer just a plan, we have zero-emission trucks serving our customers’ needs!”
The NRR-EV is available with a number of different battery configurations, ranging from three 20 kWh battery packs (60 kWh total) up to nine 20 kWh battery packs, with five and seven pack options in between. The nine-pack version is good for up to 235 miles of range with a 19,500 lb. GVWR. The batteries, regardless of configuration, send power to a 150 kW (200 hp) electric motor with 380 lb-ft. of torque available at 0 rpm.
For “Red Bull” duty, the Isuzu trucks ship with a 100 kWh total battery capacity, and are fitted a lightweight, all-aluminum 6-bay beverage body, the vehicle’s design maintains its cargo capacity. The NRR-EV’s 19,500 lb. GVWR (Class 5) chassis, combined with the lightweight body and “big enough” battery spec provides Red Bull’s delivery drivers a hefty, 9,000 lb. payload.
Isuzu began assembling NRR-EV trucks at its Charlotte, Michigan assembly plant in August 2024. Customer deliveries are set to begin nationally in Q1 of 2025.
Electrek’s Take
Isuzu’s N-series trucks are everywhere – and for good reason. They’re dependable, they’re affordable, and they have a nationwide network of GM dealers supporting them. I am a huge fan of these trucks, and can’t wait to sample the electric version from behind the wheel.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Isuzu.
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