Spotted: BYD’s Tiny New EV Could Be a Game-Changer for City Driving

It seems like BYD is rolling out new models almost monthly as it stretches its reach far beyond China. Now, it looks like the EV giant is targetting the small end of town, and possibly more affordable, for global right-hand-drive markets.

A new mystery hatchback, wrapped in camouflage, has been spotted at a BYD test facility, sparking speculation that the company is preparing a compact city EV in the style of Japan’s popular Kei cars.

See ThinkerCar's X post here

A Shrinking Footprint, A Growing Market

Images posted by Thinkercar on X show the camouflaged vehicle with a stubby nose, boxy shape, and short wheelbase, classic traits of a Kei car, Japan’s ultra-compact vehicles limited to 3.4 metres in length and powered by tiny internal combustion engines no larger than 660cc.

These cars aren’t just cute—they’re functional, affordable, and wildly popular. In 2024 alone, Honda sold over 200,000 units of the N-Box, making it the best-selling car in Japan. Yes, even beating the Toyota Corolla.

BYD, meanwhile, managed just 2,223 total vehicle sales in Japan last year. That still outpaced Toyota’s 2,038 EVs sold in its own home market, showing how strong BYD’s electric push is, even on foreign turf.

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Why This Could Be BYD’s Smallest Yet

BYD’s Seagull, its most affordable EV in China, is already seen as a budget-friendly option at 3.78 metres long. But that’s nearly 400mm longer than Japan’s Kei class allows. This new model, if it lands under 3.4 metres, would be BYD’s most compact car yet.

So what does that mean for Australia? While Kei cars are tailored for Japan, the prototype’s right-hand-drive configuration hints that BYD could be looking to roll it out in other markets, including Australia.

If so, it could hit the sweet spot for inner-city commuters, first-time EV buyers, and anyone fed up with parking space roulette in tight urban areas.

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EVs for the Masses, Not Just the Mass-Market

BYD has been pushing the affordability envelope with the Dolphin and Seagull. A mini city car could take that mission a step further by unlocking electric mobility for drivers priced out of the current market.

The recent sighting follows earlier photos of the same prototype parked on a public road with its bonnet open during testing. Clearly, development is in full swing.

While there's still no official name, spec sheet, or release timeline, the intent is loud and clear: BYD wants to build for every niche—and this one could fill a big gap in right-hand-drive cities worldwide.