TOKYO — For BYD, China’s top electric vehicle maker, Japan is the ultimate proving ground for its ability to crack foreign markets. If it can succeed at expanding in a market that is famous for being tough for imported cars, it can succeed anywhere.
BYD’s commitment to finding success in Japan was on display in October, when it invited car dealers from all over the country for a conference at a Tokyo hotel. Wang Chuanfu, the company’s founder, made a surprise appearance at the event, causing quite the stir, according to one attendee.