Mibot microcar announced, priced at $7000

Japan's KG Motors is preparing to launch a compact electric car called the Mibot for as little as 1 million yen ($7,000). That's half the price of the Nissan Sakura, the most popular electric car in Japan. At just 2.49 meters long, the model is designed for one person and is ideal for urban commuting.

The Mibot has a range of 100 kilometers, and its top speed reaches 60 km/h. The car is aimed at the narrow streets of Japanese cities. The founder of the company Kazunari Kusukoki said that the idea of creating a microcar came to him after observing large cars, which are difficult to maneuver in dense traffic.

Mibot could become a serious competitor for traditional Japanese automakers. For example, Toyota sold only 2,000 electric cars in 2024, while China's BYD sold 2,200. At the same time, the segment of “kei-cars” or small cars is extremely popular in Japan, occupying more than half of the market.

Production of Mibot will begin in October 2025, and the first 300 cars will reach customers by March 2026. The company expects to turn a profit with the second batch and further produce up to 10,000 electric cars per year.