Daihatsu currently sells new vehicles in approximately 10 countries. The decision to discontinue sales of new vehicles in Europe is the result of increasing development costs to comply with regulations in Europe, such as those related to CO2 emissions, and the appreciation of the yen against the Euro, which have had a negative impact on business results and made selling vehicles manufactured in Japan by Daihatsu no longer viable. It was made from the perspective of streamlining operations and focusing on specific areas of business.

Notification to distributors and dealers in Europe regarding Daihatsu’s decision to cease sales of new vehicles there began on January 13, 2011.

Reference

• No. of Daihatsu distributors in Europe: 10
• No. of Daihatsu dealers in Europe: Approx.1,000 (including 400 exclusive dealers)
• Sales of Daihatsu vehicles in Europe

Unit: thousand units

*Daihatsu survey; figures in parentheses indicate sales of Daihatsu vehicles in Europe as a percentage of total overseas sales

Source: http://www.daihatsu.com/news/n2011/11011401/index.html

I am devastated to announce that Daihatsu is leaving Europe by the end of January 2013.

Ofcourse, this may be a necessary step to cut the losses and get rid of the burden that comes with the overseas sales but then again, it means no more Daihatsu’s for the entire world except for Japan and some parts of Asia-Oceania.

It feels like losing a very dear friend. All my cars have been Daihatsus so far and I am very sad that I will not be driving a new one for a very, very long time, if not ever.

Note that the supply of spare parts and after-sales service will continue.

This probably means that the end of life is near for the current overseas models (I speculate), including Sirion, Terios, Materia, Cuore and Copen.

I will post updates as they come.

PS: Toyota, I hate you for forcing Daihatsu to become a local company. There, I said it.

Source: Wall Street Journal Asia ]]> http://daihatsupassion.com/daihatsu-is-leaving-europe/feed/ 1 http://daihatsupassion.com/sirion-on-the-track/ http://daihatsupassion.com/sirion-on-the-track/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:00:41 +0000 Umut Gultekin http://daihatsupassion.com/?p=486 A breathtaking video of a first generation Sirion/Storia.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Following specifications apply to Boon only (JDM). We should probably expect changes on the engine and transmission for different markets (especially for Europe).

Daihatsu and Toyota teamed up for the recreation of the Sirion/Boon/Passo, with all models now boasting higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions through the adoption of CVT and many other changes.

The new car will be available with either a 1.0-liter or a 1.3-liter engine. The 4-speed automatic transmission seems to be retired. All models (including 4WD versions) are now coming with a CVT transmission. The 1.0 liter uses the 1KR-FE that produces 69 PS (51kW) at 6,000rpm and 92Nm of torque at 3,600rpm.

K3-VE engine has been replaced with 1.3-liter 1NR-FE. The new engine has dual variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves. Its power output is 95 PS (70kW) at 6,000rpm and 121Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

1KR-FE (1,000cc)’s fuel consumption is only 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

The new car’s wheelbase is 2,440mm. It suggests that the most of the platform has carried over since the old car’s wheelbase was exactly the same.

Click here to view the embedded video.