daihatsu

A brief history about daihatsu: Daihatsu’s story began more than a century ago, but the brand name itself did not appear on vehicles until 1951, when the Hatsudoki Seizo Company, founded in 1907, officially became Daihatsu Motor Co. The company started by building compact, low-cost vehicles that suited Japan’s narrow roads and dense cities. Its first products were small, three-wheeled commercial vehicles that quickly became essential tools for businesses in postwar Japan. By 1958, Daihatsu had launched its first four-wheeled cars, combining simplicity with practicality, and laying the foundation for its long-standing reputation in small vehicle engineering.

Daihatsu’s focus on efficiency and affordability turned it into a dominant player in the small car segment across Asia. Models such as the Domino and Charade became particularly successful for their reliability and fuel economy. In 1966, Daihatsu became the first Japanese automaker to officially export to Western markets, entering the United Kingdom with the Compagno, a compact sedan that introduced European drivers to Japanese craftsmanship.

Most Daihatsu vehicles were powered by small three-cylinder engines, including an exceptionally compact diesel engine under 1000 cc that became a symbol of the company’s mechanical ingenuity. Although the brand was never known for sports cars, it experimented with performance variants, most notably a 993 cc turbocharged Charade, which gave the modest city car an unexpected edge. Daihatsu’s vehicles, despite their size, earned a reputation for toughness and dependability, particularly in the tight and bustling streets of Asia’s major cities.

In the 1970s, Daihatsu expanded into off-road and utility vehicles. The Taft marked its entry into 4WD production, followed by the Fourtrak in 1985 and the Sportrak in 1990. These models proved capable but struggled to compete with larger rivals from Honda and Toyota in the small SUV segment. Nevertheless, they reinforced Daihatsu’s versatility and ability to design vehicles that could thrive both in urban centers and rugged environments.

Regulatory changes in Japan’s Kei car category allowed Daihatsu to innovate further. The company gradually increased vehicle size while maintaining compliance with fuel efficiency and emissions standards. Its merger with Toyota Motor Corporation provided access to global markets and advanced technologies, enabling Daihatsu to reach countries across South America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. While its presence in Australia eventually declined, partnerships in Chile, Venezuela, and Malaysia — especially through the brand Perodua — ensured continued profitability.

In recent years, Daihatsu has played a key role as Toyota’s specialist in compact and affordable mobility. Its modern lineup, including models such as the Tanto, Move Canbus, and Rocky, reflects a renewed focus on urban efficiency, safety, and digital connectivity. Many of these vehicles feature Toyota’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, which enhances structural rigidity and ride comfort while keeping costs low.

By 2024, Daihatsu made a major leap into electrification, unveiling the Daihatsu Ayla EV concept for emerging markets and announcing plans to electrify its entire Kei car lineup by 2030. The Rocky Hybrid e-Smart, co-developed with Toyota, became one of Japan’s best-selling compact hybrids, blending electric efficiency with accessible pricing. Daihatsu also began testing autonomous delivery vehicles in select Asian cities, extending its expertise beyond passenger cars.

In 2025, the company revealed a new generation of the Terios SUV, designed for export markets, integrating hybrid and mild-hybrid systems to meet global emissions standards. At the same time, Daihatsu introduced a digital ecosystem across its models, allowing smartphone-based diagnostics, maintenance scheduling, and cloud navigation — a first for its segment.

Today, Daihatsu continues to embody the essence of practical Japanese engineering. From its modest beginnings as a maker of three-wheeled vehicles to its position as Toyota’s compact innovation hub, the brand remains dedicated to making mobility affordable, efficient, and sustainable. Its ongoing transformation into an electrified, globally connected brand ensures that Daihatsu’s small cars will continue to play a big role in shaping the future of everyday driving.

Current Models

Browse through this daihatsu’s current models below and explore their specifications