Japan’s EV of the Year is Chinese: BYD Takes the Crown

BYD continues to solidify its position as a global leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with remarkable achievements in Japan.

BYD announced that its Seal EV won the third Japan Annual EV Awards, marking its second consecutive victory following the Dolphin EV’s triumph last year. The BYD Seal EV outperformed strong contenders, including the Honda N-VAN e: and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, further cementing its reputation in the Japanese market.

The Seal EV has also been recognized by the Japan Car of the Year Selection Committee, earning a place among the “Top Ten Best Models” for 2024–2025. Having entered Japan in 2024, the Seal EV has been praised for its stunning design and exceptional performance.

According to EVsmart, the award’s organizer, the model has received unanimous praise from both the public and industry experts, setting a new benchmark in quality and driving experience for electric vehicles.

The Japanese-spec Seal is equipped with an 82.56 kWh BYD Blade battery pack. Just like in Malaysia, Japan gets the dual-motor Performance and the rear-wheel drive Premium variant. The entire line-up also comes primed with an arsenal of advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) features as standard.

Beyond Japan, BYD is also making significant strides in Malaysia, where it leads the EV market in sales. The brand has seen a surge in popularity since its launch in 2022, and with more new models planned for 2025, it is expected to further dominate the Malaysian EV landscape.

Additionally, BYD has launched its premium brand, Denza, which has already made waves with its debut D9 EV MPV offering that charted an impressive 800 units booked within a week. This demonstrates strong consumer demand for BYD’s innovative and high-performance electric vehicles.

Looking ahead in Japan, BYD plans to introduce its first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) later this year, with a strategy to launch new models annually. This approach will see the brand expanding its portfolio of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable mobility in these key markets.

Source: CarNewsChina