This award marks the second time BYD has been honored by the association, following last year’s win of the “RJC Technology of the Year” award for the BYD SEAL.
On November 13, the BYD SEALION 7 won the “RJC Car of the Year Import Car of the Year” award, recognized as this year’s best imported model.
The selection reasons provided by the RJC official are as follows:
This premium SUV combines powerful sports performance (0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.5 seconds for the AWD version) with the riding comfort of a luxury sedan. BYD’s unique CTB technology gives the vehicle exceptionally high rigidity, and it is also equipped with numerous advanced safety technologies, including collision safety, preventive safety, and even driver fatigue detection.
It is worth noting that this is the second award BYD has received from the association, following last year’s “RJC Technology of the Year” award won by the BYD SEAL. It also marks the first time a Chinese automaker has won the “RJC Car of the Year Import Car of the Year” award since the association’s establishment.
Data shows that the BYD SEALION 7 went on sale in the Japanese market starting in April this year, and cumulative orders received in the first six months after its launch exceeded 1,200 units.
Behind the award, BYD’s overall performance in the Japanese market is equally noteworthy.
BYD officially entered the Japanese market in July 2022, and over more than three years, its cumulative sales reached 7,123 vehicles. According to data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association, in January 2025, sales of pure electric imported vehicles in Japan increased by 11% year-on-year, among which BYD’s sales surged sixfold year-on-year, capturing a 20% market share and ranking second.
In terms of channel development, as of 2025, BYD has established 66 sales outlets in Japan and plans to expand to 100 by the end of 2025, all equipped with fast-charging piles.
Regarding product strategy, as the only Chinese brand exhibiting at the 2025 Tokyo Motor Show, BYD launched the RACCO, a pure electric mini vehicle specifically developed for the Japanese market, at the show. This move signifies a shift from merely introducing global models locally to developing exclusive products tailored from the ground up for individual markets.
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