Want a new Toyota cheaper? Why Australians need Daihatsu to come back with affordable and quality rivals Suzuki Jimny, MG3, Hyundai Venue and MG ZS

Current Daihatsu such as the Rocky and Taft (pictured) are proving their popularity abroad as a cheap and distinctive alternative to Toyota.

What a freaky Friday we're on.

The number of new cheap cars is declining. Prices are skyrocketing. And the cheapest Toyota now costs more than the equivalent Mazda or Volkswagen.

Is it time for Daihatsu to return to Australia?

One of Japan's oldest manufacturers (turning 70 this year) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota since 2016. The charming automaker, beloved for its affordable subcompacts and popular SUVs in the 80s and 90s, has been absent from this country for nearly 16 years. years.

But, unlike other brands that have left Australia over the years due to lack of sales, Daihatsu has been snatched from our market despite having a large following and a respected, even progressive lineup.

Indeed, renowned brands such as Rocky, Feroza, Charade, Applause, Terios and Sirion have gained popularity for their low maintenance and high reliability, qualities that have been appreciated by customers for 42 years since the 1964 Compagno.

So why was Daihatsu discontinued?

Toyota, which had a controlling stake of 51.2% when it shut down Daihatsu in Australia in 2006, said it was due to slower sales and increased competition, though it could also be argued that it also eliminated a domestic competitor.

“When Daihatsu first entered the passenger car market, there were 10 competing brands, and now there are 23, each vying for a segment of the market where margins are historically low,” says then Toyota Australia sales director Dave Buttner (who later led Holden until a few weeks before his passing in early 2020) rationalized culling at the time.

(Image credit: veikl.com)

But while the then-crowded cheap end of the market may have been true, today the number of entrants has plummeted, with only seven brands offering cars/SUVs under $25,000 in 2022 – Kia, Suzuki, MG, Volkswagen, Fiat, Hyundai, and Skoda. . However, sales of the micro and light classes rose by 75% and 30% respectively, while sales of small SUVs jumped by 115%. Screams!

The exodus of new cheap small cars in Australia also means that the $17,990 MG3 (exit) now controls nearly a third of all new car sales under $25, while the MG ZS (starting at $21,990) dominates over a booming SUV costing less than 40 thousand dollars. areas, taking possession of a 15 percent share… and rising.

In the meantime, Toyota has abandoned the bottom end of the market entirely, leaving MG and others the opportunity to build brand loyalty from buyers who can't afford the $27,603 (without leaving Melbourne) needed to buy a new base non-metallic Yaris.

(Image credit: veikl.com)

Representing a $10,000 jump since the start of 2020, for the first time in 62, Toyota in Australia has priced itself so far out of reach for so many new car buyers.

So, it's time for Daihatsu to return as the Toyota surrogate brand that people still remember so fondly.

Here is our selection of models we would like to see in Australia.

Daihatsu Rocky

Once a direct competitor to the small but powerful Suzuki Jimny/Sierra 4x4, the Rocky became the Feroza until the Terios' replacement appeared in 1997, ditching the off-road-oriented ladder-frame chassis in favor of a monocoque. body (but live rear axle).

Today's A200-series Rocky is a descendant of the Terios, with a vehicle design on an all-new electrification-ready transverse-engined platform dubbed DNGA-A, small SUV proportions, and downsized styling of the Toyota RAV4, giving it a modern look and feel inside and out.

At 4.0 meters, the stocky Daihatsu is only slightly shorter than the Mazda CX-3, but almost 100mm taller. And while their wheelbases are comparable, there's more room in the Rocky's cabin due to the extra headroom and deep windows. Then this is the perfect urban crossover. There is also a Toyota-branded version known as the Raize, which has become such a hit that it sometimes outsold the Corolla in Japan.

Under the hood is a choice between a 1.0-liter turbocharged or 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, with either front- or all-four-wheel drive via a continuously variable transmission, while a 1.2-liter "e-smart" hybrid has just been introduced. Being a new design (it was launched as a 2020 model), Daihatsu is equipped with advanced safety technologies for driver assistance, such as AEB for a five-star safety rating, as well as all the necessary multimedia systems.

Made in Japan, Malaysia (as the Perodua Ativa) and Indonesia, if Toyota could release the Daihatsu Rocky locally for around $22,000 domestically, we predict Australians will flock to this stylish little SUV.

Daihatsu Charade

(Image credit: veikl.com)

In 1977, Daihatsu took the lead with the release of the Charade, a cutting-edge front-wheel drive city car with a crisp five-door hatchback body and an efficient three-cylinder engine. This specification describes most modern superminis.  

After four generations in 20 years, this model evolved into the 1998 Sirion 100 and then into the 2004 Boon (designed by none other than Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ's Tetsuya Tada) shortly before Daihatsu disappeared from Australia. Two redesigns later, the third Boon series appeared - or, in fact, the eighth generation Charade.

But that's not the car we're talking about here. The existing M2016 series, released in 700, is reported to be short-lived. However, there is speculation that a successor due in Japan next year could be based on the Yaris. Whether it will be just a rebadge or a facelift with Daihatsu's unique identity remains to be seen. 

 Whatever the case, with a "D" logo on the grille and a (appropriately named) Charade decal on the rear deck, the cheaper sub-$20K Yaris supermini derivative is going to be a real hit in Australia. 

Daihatsu Mivi / Sirion

Daihatsu owns a 20 percent stake in Malaysian state-owned Perodua and supplies technology and directions for models like the Myvi, which is MG3 sized and, more importantly, priced.

The latter was once simply a rebadged Daihatsu Sirion/Boon, but the existing Honda Jazz-like angular third-generation model was designed and engineered with Daihatsu specifically as an entry-level offering and exported with the Sirion badge to various markets.

The latest version in its top class offers a high standard of safety like AEB and six airbags for a five-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating for little money, plus the familiar 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre previous generation Yaris engine. A XNUMX-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of XNUMX liters, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

We're not talking modern sophistication here, but with prices in the $17,000 region, the Myvi/Sirion will at least offer Australians a new, close-to-Toyota alternative to the MG3 and the (smaller) Kia Picanto. , with all the essentials such as security and auto, as well as a decent amount of space and speed.

Daihatsu Taft

No, not Schwarzkopf hairspray, but a small Hammer-style crossover for Arnold Schwarzenegger fans.

Associated with the Rocky small SUV, the Taft used to be an acronym for "Cool and Almighty Four-Wheeled Touring Vehicle" - a name that also once graced the famous 4×4 series of small SUVs sold in Australia as the F10/F20/F25/F50 Scat (! ) from the mid-70s until 1984 (and briefly as the Toyota LD10 Blizzard), until the first Rocky appeared.

Today's Taft is pure Kei Car glamor for the domestic Japanese market, which means a sub-0.7L three-cylinder engine in normal or turbo, CVT, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, a narrow track and a big fat landing. Now it also means Tough Almighty Fun Tool. Bless.

(Image credit: veikl.com)

Not the usual recipe for success in Australia, of course, but as an alternative to the Suzuki Ignis for the price, it certainly stands out and has a very cool interior design that matches the flashy exterior. Especially with his Suzuki Jimny and Toyota FJ Cruiser looks.

If it cost anywhere from $15,500 (base FWD) to $22,500 (flagship Turbo AWD) like in Japan, the Daihatsu could be a cult hit on the hands. Explains how 18,000 XNUMX were sold in the first month at the beginning of this year.

Is Taft crazy? Would you like to see other Daihatsu models like the Rocky and Charade return to Australia? Let us know. Toyota can eavesdrop.