In 2024, BYD surpassed Toyota in EV sales in its home market

The world’s largest EV manufacturer is making waves internationally. In a landmark achievement, BYD outpaced Toyota in EV sales on its home turf for the first time last year

BYD Surpasses Toyota in EV Sales in Japan for 2024

After dominating China with its affordable electric vehicles, BYD is now making a bold push into international markets.

In early 2023, BYD launched its first EV in Japan, the Atto 3. Priced at approximately $30,000, this SUV competes with popular domestic models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, as well as EVs such as the Toyota bZ4X and Nissan Ariya.

In its first full year of sales, BYD managed to outsell Toyota in EVs within Japan—an impressive feat considering Toyota’s historical dominance in its home market.

According to the Japan Automobile Dealer Association (via CarNewsChina), BYD sold 2,223 EVs in 2024, surpassing Toyota’s 2,038 electric car sales. BYD’s EV sales increased by 54% year-over-year, while Toyota’s fell by 30%.

Since its 2023 debut, BYD has introduced several successful models, including the Dolphin hatchback and Seal sedan. Starting at just 2.99 million yen (~$19,000), the Dolphin directly competes with domestic best-sellers like the Toyota Prius and Nissan LEAF.

The Seal sedan, introduced in June 2024 as a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, quickly became Japan’s best-selling imported EV by August. Priced at 5.28 million yen (~$33,500), it has been a key player in BYD’s Japanese success.

Looking ahead, BYD plans to launch the Sealion 07, a mid-size electric SUV, in Japan in 2025 to further expand its lineup.

Japan’s EV Market in Decline
While BYD is gaining momentum, Japan’s overall EV market struggled in 2024, with total sales dropping 33% year-over-year to just under 60,000 units—the first decline in four years. Nissan led the market with a 50% share despite a significant drop in LEAF sales, which fell nearly 50% to 30,749 units. Meanwhile, Toyota’s bZ4X saw a modest 10% sales increase but only sold 1,012 units.

Electrek’s Take
BYD’s success highlights Japan’s slow pace in EV adoption. While its EV sales numbers remain relatively small, BYD’s ability to challenge domestic giants in such a tough market is noteworthy.

Japan has long been dominated by domestic automakers, with Toyota alone commanding over a third of the market in 2024. Yet, BYD is steadily building a foundation for growth, not just in Japan but globally.

Having already surpassed Honda and Nissan in global vehicle sales, BYD is expanding its footprint in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. As the automotive industry shifts toward electrification, BYD’s momentum continues to grow, while Toyota risks falling further behind in key markets.

Could BYD eventually surpass Toyota in global sales? At this rate, it seems increasingly possible.

Author:

  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

    View all posts