According to data compiled by Bloomberg, the Sakura — a $13,000 minicar developed jointly by Nissan and Mitsubishi — is the best-selling electric car in Japan this year, accounting for around half of all EVs sold in the country so far this year.
The cost of the vehicle includes government subsidies, per Bloomberg.
The Sakura launched last year and has quickly become a phenomenon in its home country, winning Japan’s car of the year in 2022.
The 11-foot-long car has a range of 180 kilometers on a single charge and can get up to speeds of 130 kilometers per hour.
With 35,099 vehicles sold this year, the Sakura has far outperformed its rivals — including Tesla.
It makes for a more challenging market for Tesla, which slashed prices of its Model 3 and Y electric cars in Japan earlier this year.
Kei cars are extremely popular in Japan, especially in rural areas with little public transport. Their cousins, Kei trucks, have become increasingly in demand in the US in recent years.
Read More Here: Forget Tesla – this $13,000 tiny car is Japan’s best-selling EV
