Core Viewpoint - Suzuki plans to start domestic production of lightweight electric vehicles (EVs) in Japan by the fiscal year 2026, aiming to maintain a production scale of 1 million vehicles domestically, which is crucial for sustaining the supply chain [2][5]. Group 1: Production Plans and Strategy - Suzuki will begin producing lightweight EVs at its Kakegawa plant in Shizuoka Prefecture in the fiscal year 2026, with specific launch dates and pricing yet to be announced [4]. - The company has historically viewed a domestic production target of 1 million vehicles as essential for supply chain stability, but production has frequently fallen below this threshold in the past decade [5]. - To counteract the decline in domestic sales of lightweight vehicles, which have dropped by 18% from 2015 levels, Suzuki is increasing production in India, which has become a key export base [5]. Group 2: Market Context and Challenges - The overall sales of lightweight vehicles in Japan are projected to decline by 18% to approximately 1.56 million units by 2024, compared to 2015, which is a larger drop than the 9% decline in regular vehicle sales [5]. - The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Suzuki's sales, bringing them to a 30-year low in 2021, although there is a current recovery trend [5]. - The shift in production strategy is also influenced by rising inflation and high tariffs, prompting Japanese automakers to reconsider their domestic production models [6].

Core Viewpoint - BYD has initiated a significant price reduction for its electric vehicles (EVs) in Japan, aiming to expand its market share amid challenges in the Chinese market [1][7]. Group 1: Price Reduction Details - The price reduction ranges from 500,000 to 1,170,000 Japanese yen (approximately 24,200 to 56,700 RMB) [1][6]. - The Dolphin model will become the cheapest EV in Japan, with a new price of 2,492,000 yen (approximately 120,700 RMB), undercutting Nissan's Sakura by 100,000 yen [6][9]. - The Seal model's four-wheel drive variant will see a price drop of 1,170,000 yen, bringing its price down to 4,550,000 yen (approximately 220,500 RMB) [6][8]. Group 2: Market Context and Strategy - BYD's sales in Japan from January to July increased by 50% year-on-year, reaching 1,936 units, indicating strong performance in a growing market [1][9]. - The company is responding to intensified competition in the Chinese market, where its global new car sales grew only 0.6% in July, a significant slowdown compared to over 10% growth earlier in the year [7][9]. - The price cuts are part of a broader strategy to stimulate demand in Japan, where government subsidies can further reduce the effective price of the Dolphin to as low as 1,490,000 yen (approximately 72,200 RMB) [6][9]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Other automakers, such as Hyundai, have also announced price reductions for their EVs in Japan, intensifying competition in the market [11][13]. - The price war initiated by BYD in China has drawn criticism from industry groups and other car manufacturers, highlighting the challenges of maintaining profitability amid aggressive pricing strategies [8][9].