Sri Lanka follows Japan as the second market for BYD’s first electric KEI car

BYD, the number one brand in Sri Lanka’s emerging New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment and the world’s leading NEV manufacturer, together with its authorised distributor in Sri Lanka, John Keells CG Auto, today announced the successful debut of the BYD RACCO, its newest addition to the local market. Sri Lanka becomes the first country outside Japan to receive the model, following its debut there this July.

In a first for the Sri Lankan automotive industry, RACCO was unveiled simultaneously in Colombo, Kandy and Galle, a feat no other car brand has previously attempted in the country. The three-city launch signifies BYD’s commitment to making RACCO accessible to customers across Sri Lanka from day one, rather than limiting its debut to one city alone.

RACCO arrives in Sri Lanka on the back of a strong track record in Japan, one of the world’s most demanding automotive markets, where it was purpose-built to meet the country’s strict KEI car standards for safety, efficiency and smart use of space. Since its launch there, RACCO has already surpassed 1,500 units sold, a pace that reflects genuine consumer confidence. That same combination of a compact footprint with a spacious, thoughtfully designed cabin is what BYD and John Keells CG Auto expect will resonate strongly with Sri Lankan drivers, who have long favoured practical, well-engineered vehicles suited to the realities of local roads and city driving.

Speaking at the launch, John Keells CG Auto Chief Executive Officer Charith Panditharatne said, “With RACCO, BYD is entering the KEI car segment in Sri Lanka, a category that is already very popular with Sri Lankan buyers. At its heart, RACCO is a family vehicle: it is cost-effective to own and run, yet highly specified to meet a household’s daily needs and the demands of small businesses. That versatility allows us to cater to both personal and commercial needs, as we continue to make new energy mobility solutions accessible to more Sri Lankan customers.”

From left: Tofukuji Atsuki – Managing Director BYD Auto Japan Inc.; Yohann de Zoysa – Chairman JKCG Auto; Charitha Subasinghe – President (Retail Sector) John Keells Group; Ketsu Zhang – Deputy General Manager BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division and Charith Panditharatne – Chief Executive Officer JKCG Auto unveiling the Racco in Colombo

With RACCO now officially available through BYD showrooms in Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Galle, Ampara, Rathnapura, Moratuwa, Negombo, Batticaloa and Jaffna, Sri Lankan customers can experience firsthand the same vehicle that has won over thousands of buyers in Japan. The launch marks another step in BYD’s continued investment in the Sri Lankan market and reinforces the brand’s position at the forefront of the country’s shift towards new energy mobility.