GTA Gaming Archive

Daihatsu was formed in 1951 as a successor to Hatsudoki Seizo Co. Ltd, founded in 1907, as part of Hatsudoki's major restructure. During the 1960s, Daihatsu began exporting its range to Europe where it did not have major sales success until well into the 1980s. Since February 1992, Toyota distributes Daihatsu models as part of its North American distribution. In Japan, many of Daihatsu's models are also known as kei jidōsha (or kei cars). Daihatsu Diesel Motor Manufacturing Company[2] was formed in 1966 as an affiliate company to produce marine engines and diesel generators.[3] In January 2011, Daihatsu announced that it would pull out of Europe by 2013, citing the persistently strong yen, which makes it difficult for the company to make a profit from its export business.[4] Before the financial crisis, Daihatsu's sales in Europe plummeted from 58,000 in 2007 to 12,000 in 2011