Diahatsu never did particularly well in the PRC, they came at first with their minivans, they were unique to start with, but then every other company in China started to make minivans too. Daihatsu came back to China with the Terios SUV, which saw minor success, but not as successful as the Zotye SUV, a Chinese version of the Terios. Diahatsu recently tried again with the Xenia, a small MPV. China Car Times is not currently aware of sales goals, or current sales for the Daihatsu Xenia, but seeing as we hardly see them on the roads of the PRC, we cant help but think it isn’t selling that great.
Daihatsu is not ready to give up on the PRC yet, they are planning to launch the Bego SUV (top left) in China later this year with a 1.5 engine and a reasonable price tag of 120,000rmb to 150,000rmb. Other small SUV’s, such as the Suzuki Jimney appear to be gathering steam sales wise, if the Jimney sells, then there is no reason why the Bego wont, providing that Daihatsu carry out a proper media campaign rather than bringing out a car and then forgetting about it, like they did with the Xenia.
Oh, Daihatsu’s early (from 1984)involvement in China’s fledgling industry goes much deeper than a few minivans. However its parent, Toyota, going like gangbusters, has relegated them to the fringe. But who knows, as the gas price squeeze gets tighter, maybe they wil appear on the radar once again.
Gas prices are holding steady at 5.22rmb per litre! I think the RMB going up value against the declining dollar kept the price the same, but we may see a 6rmb litre before the end of the year
As Dragin says, definitely. I remember when I first came to China in 1994 the Daihatsu Charade being everywhere. And isn’t the Xiali just a development of this?
Yes - some of the older Xia Li models sport ‘Charade’ badging across the back!
Also some of the earlier Etsong maestros have round badges on the grills, even though the grills were ex-Austin stock! They just glued a round Etsong badge over the rectangular Austin badge hole!
Yes, the Xiali was based on the Charade. But with the taxis being banned from Beijing streets, and Geely stealing the design (and selling it cheaper with a Mercedes grille) Tianjin Auto Co., Ltd could no longer compete, and that’s when FAW stepped in and took over.
Tianjin streets are a river of Charade based Xia Li’s!