Toyota Australia says Daihatsu a future “alternative” to struggle Chinese language manufacturers
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The cut-price Daihatsu model received’t be coming again to Australia anytime quickly regardless of mother or father firm Toyota making some strategic modifications amongst its array of manufacturers.
Daihatsu was one of many 5 auto manufacturers beneath the Toyota Motor Group umbrella introduced final month as a part of a brand new technique, with it and Toyota sitting under GR, Lexus and Century.
On the 2025 Japan Mobility Present (JMS), the small automotive specialist confirmed off the Mazda MX-5-rivalling ‘Okay-Open’ successor to its cutesy Copen convertible – offered right here between 2002-2006 – amongst a number of industrial autos.
Nevertheless, there are not any plans for Daihatsu to make a comeback in Australia.
“It’s not on our product plan, however is it a possibility? Properly after all,” Toyota Australia vice chairman of gross sales and advertising, Sean Hanley, instructed CarExpert when requested whether or not Daihatsu may come Down Beneath to struggle cut-price Chinese language manufacturers.
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“The great thing about being a world automotive firm is we do have these choices now. So, now that this world’s opening up, we will certainly take a look at it sooner or later.”
The Daihatsu model was axed in Australia in 2005, its final automobiles offered the next yr, having operated in Australia since 1975.
Recognized for small, reasonably priced fashions such because the Mira and Charade hatchbacks, Copen sports activities automotive in addition to Rocky and Feroza SUVs, Toyota Australia took over distribution in 2000 earlier than saying its closure 5 years later.
Toyota has been a shareholder in Daihatsu since 1967, and took a majority stake in 1998 earlier than buying the model outright in 2016.
A diminishing world function noticed Daihatsu cease promoting automobiles within the US in 1992, and regardless of weathering the worldwide monetary disaster, it was axed within the UK in 2011 and in Europe in 2013.
Daihatsu predominantly focuses on Japan and Southeast Asia, constructing its fashions in right-hand drive.
It has even offered GR Sport variations of the outgoing Copen sports activities automotive by way of Toyota sellers in Japan.
Requested if the Daihatsu model may give the broader group a possibility to supply autos to Australians at a lower cost level to counter cheaper Chinese language fashions, Mr Hanely reiterated no dedication had been made.
“There are not any plans for Daihatsu to come back to Australia,” Mr Hanley reiterated.
“The excellent news is there’s 5 nice manufacturers to think about within the world firm, so I feel it’s a fantastic place to be if you’ve obtained this kind of scope.”
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