Daihatsu have come into China a few times, and have been beaten back each time. China Car Times believes that Daihatsu needs to improve its model line up in China, running with one car at a time and not really backing up your brand with some proper advertising is a great shame, you have it all Mr. Daihatsu, but you dont want to put any effort into the Chinese market. Are you leaving it all for Toyota? Daihatsu did bring the Tarios to China but were soon undone by a Chinese competitor who cloned their car and sold it much much much cheaper than what Daihatsu were selling them for.
Once bitten twice shy (or something) doesnt seem to apply to Daihatsu, they’re coming back into China via their FAW joint venture agreement with the Diahatsu Move, but will be renamed the Xenia for the Chinese market. The Xenia is a bargain MPV aimed at small families on a budget, the original Daihatsu Move was for the Japanese market in the late 90’s but has been updated for ‘07 and the Chinese market. The Xenia starts at around 70,000rmb for a 1.3 manual 5 seater model and rises up to 100,000rmb for the top of the range 1.5 auto 7 seater model.
Gents, great website. Please forgive me for daring to correct the Xenia news item.
The Xenia (along with the Toyota Avanza) sits on TMC’s U-IMV (Emerging Markets) platform. The Xenia had its global debut in Indonesia in Jan ‘04.
Not related to the Mira/Move.
Glennn,
Thanks for clearing that up. The Chinese language article I read about the Xenias release said it was related to the Move.
Thanks again.
Actually Daihatsu is assured a special place in the annals of Chinese auto industry history. Teaming up with Tianjin Auto Industrial, it made the Hijet back as early as 1984. Then the venture built the very successful Tianjin Xiali Charade of taxi fame, later being morphed by Geely into its own Haoqing and Meiri models. But you are right CCT, quality issues clouded the venture and Daihatsu went home for a bit after the Terios flop.
The old Move is still around though and is being refitted by Qingyuan Electric and shipped to Miles Automotive in the states as the ZX40 (Happy Messenger)electric. FAW’s Hongta still puts out a gas engine version.
I agree CCT the new version of the Move’s rear looks a little like the Xenia, but I guess its just a smaller sibling as Glenn points out.
Dragin,
You are right, I forgot the Hijet! I was behind one today and I remembered!