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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
KG Motors looks to kickstart Japan's electric-vehicle market with Mibot
KG Motors has developed a battery-powered one-seater that more resembles a futuristic golf cart than it does a modern EV, much less a traditional car Bloomberg In the rural suburbs of Hiroshima, a Japanese startup is trying to kick start the nation's electric vehicle market with the smallest, cheapest car it can possibly make. KG Motors has developed a battery-powered one-seater that more resembles a futuristic golf cart than it does a modern EV, much less a traditional car. And yet well over half of the 3,300 units it plans to deliver in 2027 have already been pre-sold to customers. Incidentally, that puts it on track to sell more EVs in Japan than the world's biggest automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., which shifted around such 2,000 vehicles in all of 2024. In a country where EVs are still a rare sight, KG Motors is trying to bust a burgeoning myth: that bigger is better. 'Cars are simply too big,' founder and Chief Executive Officer Kazunari Kusunoki said. 'Seeing so many big cars traveling Japan's narrow streets – that's where this all began for me.' At under 1.5 meters in height, KG Motors' mibot has a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), a charging time of five hours and a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour. It will cost ¥1 million ($7,000) before tax when production starts in October at KG Motors' new factory east of the city. That's about half the price of Japan's most popular EV, Nissan Motor Co.'s Sakura. To date, domestic and foreign automakers alike have struggled to find traction for EVs in Japan. The cars accounted for about 140,000 units or around 3.5 per cent of total vehicle sales in 2023, a far cry from the global average of 18 per cent, according to BloombergNEF. Chinese behemoth BYD Co., for example, sold 2,223 automobiles in Japan in 2024 – a sliver of the 4.3 million it delivered worldwide. Toyota and its Japanese peers, meanwhile, are at odds with other legacy automakers that hold an all-electric view of the future. Toyota has long harbored a multi-pathway approach to a greener tomorrow, one where EVs as well as gasoline, hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles play a role. As a result, the gas-electric hybrids pioneered by Japanese manufacturers still dominate. 'Toyota said EVs aren't the only solution and, because it's Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,' Kusunoki said. 'A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won't become popular.' Japan, at least, has been slower to embrace the global trend toward larger, roomier vehicles. Smaller autos have always been a feature in the Asian nation and its lightweight kei cars have even found cult followings abroad. In recent years, they've claimed the lion's share of the domestic EV market, accounting for 55 per cent of total sales in 2023. Nissan's Sakura is a kei car, with just under 23,000 units sold in 2024. In April, BYD said it's planning to produce a fully-electric kei car specifically for the Japanese market in the second half of 2026, while Hyundai Motor Co. introduced the Inster earlier this year, a ¥2.9 million vehicle it claims to be Japan's cheapest EV, at least among full-sized passenger cars. Small-sized EVs have helped spark consumer acceptance of battery-powered cars overseas as well. In China, the world's biggest EV market, SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co.'s Hongguang Mini was at one point the nation's top seller. Still, with its single-seat design, KG Motors' mibot is in a tiny league of its own. The first 300 should be delivered to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo by the middle of next year, while the next 3,000 will be shipped nationwide, Kusunoki said. KG Motors says it will lose money on the first batch but should break even on the second. After that, the company aims to produce around 10,000 units annually. It's in the process of acquiring the vehicle safety certification needed to commercialize the mibot. The startup's size and make-to-order strategy could work in its favor. EVs use far less parts than conventional gasoline or hybrid vehicles but the mibot takes that to another level, essentially consisting of a battery, motor and sparse electronics connected by wiring housed within a monocoque chassis on four wheels, so production costs are low. Even KG Motors' marketing draws on Kusunoki's former life as a YouTube content creator. The company has published footage on its website of the mibot being tested on the icy roads of Hokkaido, squeezing between homes packed into Hiroshima's historic districts and smashing into concrete walls at high speeds to ensure it satisfies Japan's strict safety regulations. Kusunoki, 43, who founded KG Motors in June 2022, grew up in Higashihiroshima, a suburban town with streets sometimes too narrow even for a Japanese sedan. He watched the country's public transport infrastructure deteriorate as a shortage of taxi drivers was compounded by an aging, shrinking population. As young people migrate to big cities, it's also becoming more difficult for the elderly to get around. As a result, KG Motors ultimately sees demand for one- or two-seater compact, cost efficient cars. As of early May, the company had received 2,250 orders, with over 95 per cent coming from homeowners with at least one vehicle. 'In rural parts of the country, public transportation systems are in shambles,' Kusunoki said. 'This might be hard for someone living in Tokyo to understand but at some point, it becomes necessary to have one car per person, not just per household.'
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
This $8,930 single-seat electric car is a big hit in Japan
Mr Kazunari Kusunoki, chief executive of KG Motors, with the company's ultra-compact electric vehicle during a media preview in Tokyo in March. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG HIROSHIMA – In the rural suburbs of Hiroshima, a Japanese start-up is trying to kick-start the nation's electric vehicle (EV) market with the smallest, cheapest car it can possibly make. KG Motors has developed a battery-powered one-seater that resembles a futuristic golf cart more than a modern EV, much less a traditional car. And yet well over half of the 3,300 units it plans to deliver by March 2027 have already been pre-sold to customers. That puts it on track to sell more EVs in Japan than the world's biggest automaker, Toyota Motor, which shifted around such 2,000 vehicles in all of 2024. In a country where EVs are still a rare sight, KG Motors is trying to bust a burgeoning myth: that bigger is better. 'Cars are simply too big,' founder and chief executive officer Kazunari Kusunoki, 43, said. 'Seeing so many big cars travelling Japan's narrow streets – that's where this all began for me.' At under 1.5m in height, KG Motors' mibot has a range of 100km, a charging time of five hours and a top speed of 60kmh. It will cost one million yen (S$8,930) before tax when production starts in October at KG Motors' new factory east of the city. That is about half the price of Japan's most popular EV, Nissan Motor's Sakura. To date, domestic and foreign carmakers alike have struggled to find traction for EVs in Japan. The cars accounted for about 140,000 units or around 3.5 per cent of total vehicle sales in 2023, a far cry from the global average of 18 per cent, according to research and analysis provider BloombergNEF. Chinese behemoth BYD, for example, sold 2,223 automobiles in Japan in 2024 – a sliver of the 4.3 million it delivered worldwide. Toyota and its Japanese peers, meanwhile, are at odds with other legacy carmakers that hold an all-electric view of the future. Toyota has long harboured a multi-pathway approach to a greener tomorrow, one where EVs as well as petrol, hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles play a role. As a result, the petrol-electric hybrids pioneered by Japanese manufacturers still dominate. 'Toyota said EVs aren't the only solution and, because it's Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,' Mr Kusunoki said. 'A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won't become popular.' Japan, at least, has been slower to embrace the global trend towards larger, roomier vehicles. Smaller cars have always been a feature in the Asian nation and its lightweight 'kei' cars have found cult followings abroad. In recent years, they have claimed the lion's share of the domestic EV market, accounting for 55 per cent of total sales in 2023. Nissan's Sakura is a kei car, with just under 23,000 units sold in 2024. In April, BYD said it is planning to produce a fully electric kei car specifically for the Japanese market in the second half of 2026, while Hyundai Motor introduced the Inster earlier in 2025, a 2.9 million yen vehicle it claims to be Japan's cheapest EV, at least among full-sized passenger cars. Small-sized EVs have helped spark consumer acceptance of battery-powered cars overseas as well. In China, the world's biggest EV market, SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile's Hongguang Mini was at one point the nation's top seller. Still, with its single-seat design, KG Motors' mibot is in a tiny league of its own. The first 300 should be delivered to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo before the end of next March, while the other 3,000 will be shipped nationwide, Mr Kusunoki said. KG Motors says it will lose money on the first batch, but should break even on the second. After that, the company aims to produce around 10,000 units annually. The start-up's size and make-to-order strategy could work in its favour. EVs use far fewer parts than conventional petrol or hybrid vehicles, but the mibot takes that to another level, essentially consisting of a battery, motor and sparse electronics connected by wiring housed within a monocoque chassis on four wheels, so production costs are low. Even KG Motors' marketing draws on Mr Kusunoki's former life as a YouTube content creator. The company has published footage on its website of the mibot being tested on the icy roads of Hokkaido, squeezing between homes packed into Hiroshima's historic districts and smashing into concrete walls at high speeds to ensure it satisfies Japan's strict safety regulations. Mr Kusunoki, who founded KG Motors in June 2022, grew up in Higashihiroshima, a suburban town with streets sometimes too narrow even for a Japanese saloon. He watched the country's public transport infrastructure deteriorate as a shortage of taxi drivers was compounded by an ageing, shrinking population. As young people migrate to big cities, it is also becoming more difficult for the elderly to get around. As a result, KG Motors sees the demand for one- or two-seater compact, cost-efficient cars. As at early May, it had received 2,250 orders, with over 95 per cent coming from home owners with at least one vehicle. 'In rural parts of the country, public transportation systems are in shambles,' Mr Kusunoki said. 'This might be hard for someone living in Tokyo to understand. But at some point, it becomes necessary to have one car per person, not just per household.' BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
This tiny $7,000 single-seat EV becomes a hit in Japan, sparking a revolution in compact mobility. Would you buy this?
KG Motors' new single-seater electric mibot has a range of up to 100 kilometres on a full charge KG Motors' new single-seater electric mibot has a range of up to 100 kilometres on a full charge (Bloomberg) Check Offers Jam-packed, congested roads are a menace to urban mobility, and the problem is felt across the world. In India, where the vehicle density as well as road user density has been growing like never before, the problem is even worse. In such a scenario, KG Motors' new tiny single-seater electric car could be the saviour. It comes busting a burgeoning myth: that bigger is better, on which the majority of the global carmakers have been relying. Priced at $7,000, which translates to around ₹ 5.98 lakh, the new single-seater battery-powered electric car is described as a mibot or mobility robot. Bloomberg has reported that the Hiroshima-based Japanese startup aims to produce 3,300 units of the EV, and more than half of those have already been sold out. The manufacturer aims to deliver these cars to the buyers by March 2027. Incidentally, that puts the EV startup on track to outpace the world's biggest automaker, Toyota, in Japan's electric vehicle market by March 2027. What KG Motors' mibot offers? At under 1,500 mm height, KG Motors' new single-seater electric mibot has a range of up to 100 kilometres on a full charge. It commands a charging time of five hours and a top speed of 60 kmph. Kazunari Kusunoki, KG Motors' Founder and CEO, said that with these figures, the EV prioritises efficiency over luxury. It costs ¥1 million ($7,000) before tax, which is about half the price of Japan's most popular EV, Nissan's Sakura. Production of the small EV is slated to commence in October this year. What propels KG to bring this EV in block? Speaking about the idea that sparked the project, Kusunoki emphasises that cars on the roads are simply too big. "Seeing so many big cars travelling Japan's narrow streets — that's where this all began for me," he said. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India Small-sized EVs have helped spark consumer acceptance of battery-powered cars around the world. In China, the world's biggest EV market, SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co.'s Hongguang Mini was at one point the top seller of the country. However, with its single-seat design, KG Motors' mibot is in a tiny league of its own. The small EVs offer personal mobility in a practical and compact manner, and are capable of reducing congestion on the roads in comparison to bigger cars, as well as contributing to reducing emissions. Speaking of the EV, Kusunoki said that the first 300 units should be delivered to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo before the end of March 2026, while the other 3,000 will be shipped nationwide. He also said that the startup will lose money on the first batch but should break even on the second. After that, the company aims to produce around 10,000 units annually. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 29 May 2025, 08:26 AM IST
Business Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
This US$7,000 single-seat electric car is a big hit in Japan
[TOKYO] In the rural suburbs of Hiroshima, a Japanese startup is trying to kick start the nation's electric vehicle (EV) market with the smallest, cheapest car it can possibly make. KG Motors has developed a battery-powered one-seater that more resembles a futuristic golf cart than it does a modern EV, much less a traditional car. And yet well over half of the 3,300 units it plans to deliver by March 2027 have already been pre-sold to customers. Incidentally, that puts it on track to sell more EVs in Japan than the world's biggest automaker, Toyota Motor, which shifted around 2,000 vehicles in all of 2024. In a country where EVs are still a rare sight, KG Motors is trying to bust a burgeoning myth: that bigger is better. 'Cars are simply too big,' founder and chief executive officer Kazunari Kusunoki said. 'Seeing so many big cars travelling Japan's narrow streets – that's where this all began for me.' At under 1.5 metres in height, KG Motors' mibot has a range of 100 kilometres, a charging time of five hours and a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour. It will cost one million yen (S$8,877) before tax when production starts in October at KG Motors' new factory east of the city. That's about half the price of Japan's most popular EV, Nissan Motor's Sakura. To date, domestic and foreign automakers alike have struggled to find traction for EVs in Japan. The cars accounted for about 140,000 units or around 3.5 per cent of total vehicle sales in 2023, a far cry from the global average of 18 per cent, according to BloombergNEF. Chinese behemoth BYD, for example, sold 2,223 automobiles in Japan in 2024 – a sliver of the 4.3 million it delivered worldwide. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Toyota and its Japanese peers, meanwhile, are at odds with other legacy automakers that hold an all-electric view of the future. Toyota has long harboured a multi-pathway approach to a greener tomorrow, one where EVs as well as petrol, hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles play a role. As a result, the petrol-electric hybrids pioneered by Japanese manufacturers still dominate. 'Toyota said EVs are not the only solution and, because it's Toyota, Japanese people assume it must be true,' Kusunoki said. 'A large number of people in Japan seem to believe EVs won't become popular.' Japan, at least, has been slower to embrace the global trend towards larger, roomier vehicles. Smaller autos have always been a feature in the Asian nation and its lightweight kei cars have even found cult followings abroad. In recent years, they have claimed the lion's share of the domestic EV market, accounting for 55 per cent of total sales in 2023. Nissan's Sakura is a kei car, with just under 23,000 units sold in 2024. In April, BYD said it's planning to produce a fully-electric kei car specifically for the Japanese market in the second half of 2026, while Hyundai Motor introduced the Inster earlier this year, a 2.9 million yen vehicle it claims to be Japan's cheapest EV, at least among full-sized passenger cars. Small-sized EVs have helped spark consumer acceptance of battery-powered cars overseas as well. In China, the world's biggest EV market, Saic-GM-Wuling Automobile's Hongguang Mini was at one point the nation's top seller. Still, with its single-seat design, KG Motors' mibot is in a tiny league of its own. The first 300 should be delivered to customers in Hiroshima and Tokyo before the end of next March, while the other 3,000 will be shipped nationwide, Kusunoki said. KG Motors says it will lose money on the first batch but should break even on the second. After that, the company aims to produce around 10,000 units annually. The startup's size and make-to-order strategy could work in its favour. EVs use far less parts than conventional petrol or hybrid vehicles but the mibot takes that to another level, essentially consisting of a battery, motor and sparse electronics connected by wiring housed within a monocoque chassis on four wheels, so production costs are low. Even KG Motors' marketing draws on Kusunoki's former life as a YouTube content creator. The company has published footage on its website of the mibot being tested on the icy roads of Hokkaido, squeezing between homes packed into Hiroshima's historic districts and smashing into concrete walls at high speeds to ensure it satisfies Japan's strict safety regulations. Kusunoki, 43, who founded KG Motors in June 2022, grew up in Higashihiroshima, a suburban town with streets sometimes too narrow even for a Japanese sedan. He watched the country's public transport infrastructure deteriorate as a shortage of taxi drivers was compounded by an ageing, shrinking population. As young people migrate to big cities, it's also becoming more difficult for the elderly to get around. As a result, KG Motors ultimately sees demand for one- or two-seater compact, cost-efficient cars. As at early May, the company had received 2,250 orders, with over 95 per cent coming from homeowners with at least one vehicle. 'In rural parts of the country, public transportation systems are in shambles,' Kusunoki said. 'This might be hard for someone living in Tokyo to understand but at some point, it becomes necessary to have one car per person, not just per household.' BLOOMBERG
