Tesla Rival BYD Could Bring Its Japanese 'Kei' Car To Europe - BYD (OTC:BYDDY)

Core Insights - BYD Co. Ltd. is considering introducing its compact Racco car to the European market, contingent on regulatory conditions [2][3] - The Racco, powered by a 20 kWh battery, offers a claimed range of 112 miles and can charge at up to 100kW, positioning it as a competitor in the affordable electric vehicle segment [3] - BYD has experienced significant growth in the European market, particularly in the UK, while Tesla has seen a decline in sales [5][6] Regulatory Environment - BYD's Vice President Stella Li indicated that the company is closely monitoring EU regulations regarding a new E-car class for affordable, compact vehicles [2] - The introduction of the Racco in Europe would depend on the availability of regulatory space for such vehicles [2] Product Details - The Racco was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show and represents BYD's first entry into the Kei car segment, which is characterized by small, expressway-legal vehicles [3][4] - The car is expected to fit below the existing Dolphin Surf EV in the European market if launched [3] Market Performance - BYD recorded sales of 11,271 vehicles in the UK during September, marking it as the largest market for the automaker outside of China [5] - In contrast, Tesla's sales in Europe fell by 10.5% in September, with a notable 25% decline in Italy [6] - Tesla also faced a 9.9% decline in Chinese sales in October, alongside a 32% drop in exports [6] Manufacturing Expansion - BYD has expanded its factory in Zhengzhou, China, which is over six times larger than Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas, covering 22.5 square kilometers and employing approximately 60,000 workers [5]