The president of Daihatsu Motor has acknowledged that cheap electric vehicles from China pose a threat to Japanese car manufacturers.

For the most part, Japanese automakers have been slow to shift kei cars to electric power, providing Chinese companies with an opening into the market. Speaking with Nikkei Asia, Daihatsu boss Soichiro Okudaira said the company is committed to doing its best to rival what the Chinese have created.

“[Chinese] car design concepts are not simply an extension of what has come before. For example, the battery and motor are cooled with air instead of water,” he said. “There may be drawbacks, like not being suitable for long drives at high speeds, but costs can be kept down by limiting the anticipated operating environments. Our company will go back to the basics of automaking and think of new concepts for affordable EVs. We have to be able to compete on price.”

autos, cars, daihatsu, news, china, electric vehicles, japan, reports, daihatsu says cheap chinese evs pose a threat to japan’s iconic kei cars

One of Daihatsu’s first electric kei cars will be released in 2025 and cost approximately 1 million yen ($8,600), more than some Chinese electric minicars are going for. Despite costing more than a Chinese alternative, Okudaira said there is “surely demand” for kei cars that have “relatively spacious interiors, have luggage capacity, and can seat four people.” He added the carmaker is considering electrifying its popular Mira e:S and may launch an electric version of the Hijet commercial range that costs the same as the petrol-powered model.

Daihatsu is working with a number of other car manufacturers to electrify its line-up and will do all it can to control the costs of batteries, the boss added.

“Daihatsu is exploring multiple options, including purchasing Chinese-made batteries,” Okudaira said. “It will take an investment of tens of billions of yen or more to electrify all new vehicles by 2030, so we are collaborating with our parent company, Toyota Motor. We, along with Suzuki Motor, are participating in an EV development venture jointly owned by Toyota and Isuzu Motors, and together we will develop related technology.”

autos, cars, daihatsu, news, china, electric vehicles, japan, reports, daihatsu says cheap chinese evs pose a threat to japan’s iconic kei cars

2021 Wuling Kiwi EV

Keyword: Daihatsu Says Cheap Chinese EVs Pose A Threat To Japan’s Iconic Kei Cars

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota Unveil Prototype Mini-Commercial Van Electric Vehicles

Suzuki Motor Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced their plans to unveil prototype mini-commercial van electric vehicles (BEVs) equipped with a jointly developed BEV system. The new EVs were showcased at an exhibition event dedicated to showcasing the automobile industry’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. ...

View more: Suzuki, Daihatsu, and Toyota Unveil Prototype Mini-Commercial Van Electric Vehicles

Upgraded Daihatsu 3S Centre In Ipoh Is Officially Open

The upgraded Daihatsu 3S Centre in Ipoh is officially open for business. Operated by one of Daihatsu Malaysia’s pioneer authorised dealers, Saga Superior Sdn Bhd, this Daihatsu dealership now offers the convenience of sales, service and spare parts for businesses in and around Ipoh, Perak. This newly upgraded facility sits strategically along the ...

View more: Upgraded Daihatsu 3S Centre In Ipoh Is Officially Open

Daihatsu Malaysia Introduces Rahmah Service Package To Help SME Customers

Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (DMSB) has introduced its Daihatsu Rahmah Service Package which will be available at all authorised Daihatsu service centres nationwide. The official distributor of the popular Gran Max multi-role light commercial vehicle is following the government’s ‘Rahmah’ initiative to provide SME customers an affordable option to service ...

View more: Daihatsu Malaysia Introduces Rahmah Service Package To Help SME Customers

Toyota & Suzuki co-develop new electric commercial minivan

Toyota claims that the commercial minivan has an expected range of 200 km per charge. Toyota, Suzuki and Daihatsu recently unveiled a prototype of their electric commercial minivans, based on a jointly developed BEV platform. All three electric minivans are said to be built to Japan’s kei car specification and ...

View more: Toyota & Suzuki co-develop new electric commercial minivan

Toyota, Suzuki & Daihatsu Partnered On Mini-Commerical Electric Vans

As Toyota rethinks its electrification plans, this is yet another step forward to show its support of EVs.

View more: Toyota, Suzuki & Daihatsu Partnered On Mini-Commerical Electric Vans

Sales of Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky in Japan stopped

Sales of the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky have been halted due to the discovery of improper safety tests. Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota, revealed that it had uncovered misconduct in the crash tests conducted on a hybrid SUV model intended for the Japanese market, adding to the ongoing scandal ...

View more: Sales of Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky in Japan stopped

Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky Sales Stopped – Fraudulent Safety Tests Uncovered

Last month in April also, rigged safety tests were identified involving Toyota Yaris Ativ and Perodua Axia Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky – Rigged safety test procedures Toyota expresses apologies to all stakeholders Toyota Raize Last month in April also, rigged safety tests were identified involving Toyota Yaris Ativ and ...

View more: Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky Sales Stopped – Fraudulent Safety Tests Uncovered

Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric van debuts – 200 Km range

The upcoming mini electric van from Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu will feature a battery big enough for around 200 km of range on a single charge Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki Trio’s First Electric Van Minivan with good cargo space Toyota Suzuki Daihatsu – Mini electric van The upcoming mini electric van from Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu will feature ...

View more: Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu electric van debuts – 200 Km range

Daihatsu Motor Establishes Third-Party Committee To Remove Irregularities

Suzuki, Daihatsu and Toyota to show shared development e-LCVs

Daihatsu crash test scandal: No recall from Toyota and Perodua

UMW Toyota Motor Issues Statement On Toyota Vios

Statement From Perodua President & CEO On The Perodua Axia

Daihatsu’s DNGA crash test ‘inaccuracies’ - Perodua Axia, Toyota Vios safe to drive?

Perodua Axia Safe To Drive Despite Daihatsu Crash Test Issue

Daihatsu and Toyota passenger car wrongdoing – What Happened and What’s Next?

Daihatsu Rigged Safety-Crash Test For 88,000 Cars – Perodua Axia Affected

Daihatsu Cheated Safety Testing For 88,000 Cars

Toyota Admits Some Daihatsu Crash Test Cars Were Rigged For Better Results

Toyota-affiliate Daihatsu rigged safety test for 88,000 cars

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel