Challenge to BYD Dolphin: Hyundai's Cheapest Electric Mini Car Inster Lands in Japan at 2.849 Million Yen
According to a report by Electrek on January 11th, Hyundai's new Inster electric vehicle has been launched in Japan. This car is the cheapest electric vehicle under Hyundai and is priced lower than the BYD Dolphin (known as 'Dolphin' in China) in Japan.
Since re-entering the Japanese market in 2022, Hyundai has introduced only a few models, such as the IONIQ 5, Kona Electric, and Nexo FCEV. The new Inster EV is Hyundai's fourth electric vehicle and is expected to become the brand's best-selling product.
It is reported that the starting price of the Inster EV is 2,849,000 yen (approximately 133,000 USD), making it Hyundai's lowest-priced electric vehicle to date.
In the South Korean market, the Inster is named Casper Electric and is one of the best-selling electric cars there. The car is equipped with a 49 kWh battery, with a maximum range of up to 315 km in the South Korean market. In Europe, based on the WLTP testing standard, its range is 355 km. As for Japan, consumers can choose between 42 kWh or 49 kWh battery versions.
The Inster EV offers three model configurations, with prices ranging from 2,849,000 yen to 3,575,000 yen (approximately 133,000 USD to 166,000 USD).
Regarding dimensions, the Inster EV measures 3,830 mm in length, 1,610 mm in width, and 1,615 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,580 mm, which is slightly smaller than the BYD Dolphin's 4,290 mm in length, 1,770 mm in width, 1,570 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. In the local market, the starting price of the BYD Dolphin is 3.63 million yen (approximately 169,000 USD).
Hyundai hopes to increase its presence in the Japanese market with this model. Hyundai's sales in Japan are currently low, with only 600 units sold last year, while BYD's sales have exceeded 2,200 units. Since entering the Japanese market in 2023, BYD has launched several best-selling electric vehicles, including the Dolphin, Atto 3 SUV, and Seal.
This new car will also compete with the Nissan Sakura. The Sakura is currently the best-selling electric car in Japan, priced at 2.6 million yen (approximately 121,000 USD).
