Daihatsu

Founded in 1907 as Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd. in Osaka, the company initially focused on the domestic production of internal combustion engines. It transitioned into the automotive sector by building three-wheeled vehicles, most notably the Midget, which became a symbol of Japan's post-war motorization. Over the decades, the company expanded its portfolio to include four-wheeled compact cars and established itself as a leader in the mini-vehicle segment. In 1967, the company entered into a business partnership with Toyota, which eventually led to Toyota acquiring a controlling interest in 1998. This integration solidified Daihatsu's role as the Toyota Group's specialist for small-car development and manufacturing. The company adopted the 'Daihatsu New Global Architecture' (DNGA) in 2019 to streamline the production of its next-generation compact vehicles. Today, Daihatsu maintains a significant global footprint, particularly in Southeast Asia, through strategic joint ventures such as PT Astra Daihatsu Motor in Indonesia and Perodua in Malaysia. The company continues to emphasize its 'MONODUKURI' philosophy, focusing on lean, efficient manufacturing processes to provide affordable mobility to approximately 80 countries and regions worldwide.