What a Charade...Daihatsu Takes Toyota Yaris Leftovers to Create a New Model

Daihatsu may be getting ready to pull out of the European market, but as a last call, the Japanese firm will introduce one more model to its range, the new Charade. And as you've probably guessed by now, the “new” Charade is in fact a Daihatsu-badged version of the outgoing Toyota Yaris, the successor of which, has already been introduced in Japan and will be showcased through a hybrid study in Geneva. Read more »

Daihatsu, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes Top Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study in Germany

For the first time since the launch of the study in 2002, Daihatsu has claimed the top spot in J.D. Power and Associates' redesigned 2009 Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS) in Germany with a total score of 843 on a 1,000-point scale. The Japanese brand was followed by Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz that tied in second place with 835 points, BMW was third with 834 points and Audi and Toyota that tied in fifth place with 831 points.

On the other side of the scale, Ford (796 points), Opel, Kia and Peugeot that tied with 790 points, Fiat (778 points), Chevrolet (775 points) and Smart (772 points) occupied the last five places in J.D. Power's 2009 German vehicle ownership satisfaction study. The industry average is 814 points.

Model-wise, Daihatsu's Sirion captured the top rank position in the small car category while Toyota received awards for the Aygo city car and the Corolla lower medium car. In the upper medium segment, Renault's Laguna finished first while Mercedes-Benz topped the executive / luxury and sports car segments with the E-Class and CLK Class models respectively.

Also receiving segment-level awards are the Skoda Roomster in the MPV group and the Nissan Qashqai in the SUV category.

J.D. Power and Associates' finding are based on 16,200 online interviews with German vehicle owners after an average of two years of ownership. According to the firm, German owners are asked to provide detailed evaluations on their cars and dealers covering 67 attributes grouped in four measurements of satisfaction including: vehicle appeal (32%) which covers performance, design, comfort and features; vehicle quality and reliability (26%); ownership costs (22%) including fuel consumption, insurance and costs of service/repair; and dealer service satisfaction (20%).

Daihatsu Deca Deca Concept at Tokyo Motor Show

Daihautsu has released the new Deca Deca Concept car during the Tokyo Motor Show. Form is undoubtedly a slave to function, the one-shoebox exterior design every bit as harsh as its minamalistic interior. This does however allow for the Deca Deca to become a workstation in little effort. Both rear seats are able to swivel or fold alongside a fold-down 36-inch flatscreen monitor and desk, while the front passenger seat can rotate for a mini conference space.

While taking the office on the road may not be to everyone's liking, the ute come people mover has large, pillarless fold-out doors in addition to rear door access, allowing for multiple purpose use and, potentially, reduced mobility users. The Deca Deca - "toolbox for active people" - likewise allows for storage of dirt bikes and surfboards.

The new car will be equipped with a 1.3-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine through the front wheels and mated to a CVT transmission, the Deca Deca may not quicken the commute, but it certainly has Tokyo talking. A production version minus the expensive hardware could be in the works.

Daihatsu New Move Conte

The Japanese mincar maker, Daihatsu is introducing their new Move Conte on Monday, August 25. Although the 5-door Move Conte is slightly shorter than the Fiat 500 measuring in at just 3,395 mm in length, Daihatsu supports that the minicar will offer ample space for four passengers thanks to its innovative interior packaging. The move is moved by either front or four wheel drive. The Move Conte will be available with two 3-cylinder engines, the naturally aspirated KF-VE developing 58 and the turbocharged KF-DET producing 64 HP.

Daihatsu, which is 51 percent owned by Toyota, announced the suggested price is ranging in between 990,000 yen to 1.595 million yen (excluding consumption tax).

Daihatsu Launches Light Commercial Vehicle "Gran Max" in Indonesia

DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. (Daihatsu) announced that it has launched a new light commercial vehicle in Indonesia called the "Gran Max". The aim is to expand the market while meeting various customer needs, in response to increasing demand in Indonesia for light commercial vehicles.
The "Gran Max" will be produced at P.T. Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM), which is Daihatsu's production base in Indonesia, and will be sold through P.T. Astra International (AI).
Light commercial vehicle users will have a choice between two models of the "Gran Max", the pick up truck and the minibus. The monthly sales target for both models is 2,300 units and the manufacturer's suggested retail prices range between 67 million and 97 million rupiah (approximately 800,000 to 1.2 million yen).
In conjunction with the increasing demand for light commercial vehicles in Indonesia, Daihatsu plans to install a second production line at ADM to increase annual production capacity (based on no-overtime 2-shift operations) from 150,000 vehicles to 200,000 vehicles level by the end of 2007.

The main features of the "Gran Max" include:

Features common in either a pick up truck or minibus 1. A sturdy semi-cab layout 2. Ample leg space thanks to a shift lever integrated into the instrument panel 3. A completely redesigned engine (1.5L DOHC VVT-i and 1.3L DOHC engine types) 4. Class-leading loading capacity 5. Excellent cruising stability because of its a long wheelbase (longest in its class) Minibus feature 1. The minibus is the only vehicle in its class that features sliding rear doors on both sides.

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Next-Generation 660cc Engine Showcases Daihatsu Technology

Long-stroke technology contributes to excellent low-to mid-range torque characteristics, while extensive friction reduction and intake port shape optimization broaden the torque curve. This delivers extremely smooth acceleration from startup all the way to cruising speed. Fuel economy is also outstanding, thanks to compact combustion chambers for high combustion efficiency and optimized air-fuel swirl and tumble. (The engine is fitted in the Mira, Mira CUSTOM, ESSE and ATRAI WAGON and also the MOVE, and MOVE CUSTOM.)

Employing the world's first input-reduction type 3-shaft gear train configuration, this CVT attains high power transmission efficiency with reduced belt rotational speed. In addition to delivering about 10% better acceleration performance and about 15% better fuel economy, this CVT is among the world's lightest in its class at a mere 58kg. Every aspect of this next-generation CVT is optimized for mini vehicle applications.

Daihatsu OPCS (Omni-directional Pre-Crash Safety Support System)

Based on omni-directional detection by laser radar, this system supports accident avoidance in variety of scenarios.

This system is a further evolution of risk-minimizing active safety technology that activates a pre-crash safety system to automatically warn the driver and control the seat belts and brake system in case of an emergency by determining the distance to the preceding vehicle. Installed in the front and rear are two wide-angle laser radar units with front, rear and side sensing capability to detect obstacles including pedestrians in all directions of the vehicle's 360-degree circumference.

This technology has the potential to detect, for example, approaching vehicles at a frontal offset, previously a difficult task, thereby making it possible to help avoid accidents at intersections, through linkage with the pre-crash brake assist system. Also, through various linkages with the pre-crash safety system, this system can support steering maneuvers to avoid obstacles in the vehicle path, emit a warning in case a vehicle approaches from the rear when changing lanes, and so on. Therefore, it offers the potential for accident avoidance support in a wide variety of accident scenarios besides frontal collisions. This represents the most advanced fruits of Daihatsu's on going efforts to develop accident avoidance support technology for small vehicle application.

When the system detects a car, motorbike, etc, on course toward a collision with the vehicle. LED lamps flash in the direction of the approaching vehicle. This helps alert the operator of the approaching vehicle ot take action to avoid an accident.

A 3D display presents vehicle information and other safety information as easy-to-understand 3D images to facilitate driver awareness and recognition. Fascinating 3D display capabilities are leveraged to enhance navigation and traffic information presentation.