BYD Racco kei car could come to Europe if small car regs allow

Mooted class of small, affordable cars could justify the case for importing the tiny hatchback

BYD could bring its new Racco kei car to Europe if the EU’s mooted ‘E-Car’ category for small cars increases the viability of such models.
BYD revealed the Racco at the Tokyo motor show last month, as a statement of intent from the Chinese brand to establish a foothold in a market served almost exclusively by domestic manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi.
Designed and engineered to meet official kei class regulations in Japan, where it is initially set to be sold exclusively, the Racco measures 3.4m long, 1.475m wide and 1.8m tall, and has similarly boxy, straight-edged proportions to its Japanese rivals.
It has a 20kWh battery said to be good for 112 miles of range and charging at up to 100kW, which powers a single motor of undisclosed capacity on the front axle.
The Racco is a landmark external entry into a segment that represents almost a third of car sal