3 6 Ke·2025-11-02 23:40Core Insights - The article discusses the unique characteristics and cultural significance of Japan's K-CAR market, highlighting its closed nature and the strong consumer loyalty towards domestic brands [4][11][17] - The entry of foreign brands, particularly BYD with its electric K-CAR, is seen as a potential disruptor in this market, but challenges remain due to historical consumer preferences and regulatory barriers [10][15][17] Group 1: K-CAR Market Overview - The K-CAR concept has maintained consumer enthusiasm in Japan for decades, creating a distinct industrial culture that permeates various aspects of society [4][11] - Japanese automakers have established a stronghold in the K-CAR segment, with each brand creating a unique niche through their products [4][6] Group 2: Sales Performance - In 2024, Honda's N-BOX dominated the K-CAR market with sales of 206,272 units, surpassing the best-selling regular car, Toyota Corolla [6] - Suzuki's Spacia and Daihatsu's Tanto also performed well, with sales of 165,679 and 93,759 units respectively, indicating a robust competitive landscape among domestic brands [6] Group 3: Foreign Brand Challenges - Historical attempts by foreign brands like smart and Caterham to enter the K-CAR market have failed due to misalignment with local consumer preferences and regulatory standards [8][11] - The K-CAR market is characterized by a strong emphasis on practicality and affordability, making it difficult for foreign brands to succeed without a product tailored specifically for Japanese consumers [8][11] Group 4: Future Prospects - The introduction of BYD's electric K-CAR, RACCO, at the Tokyo Mobility Show introduces new competition, particularly against Nissan's Sakura, which has become the best-selling EV in Japan [10][15] - Despite the potential for disruption, the article emphasizes that foreign brands face significant hurdles in gaining acceptance in the K-CAR market due to entrenched consumer loyalty to domestic brands [15][17]