Daihatsu’s MONODUKURI

Supporting Enriched Daily Lives for Customers

Daihatsu aims to create a prosperous society where everyone can live safely and securely by producing high-quality, affordable, and environmentally friendly small-size cars.

Affordable and High-Quality

“Providing products with affordable prices that customers truly need in their daily lives and work”
This is the most important concept for Daihatsu’s car manufacturing.

Daihatsu thoroughly listens to customer feedback and checks real-world usage at the local level.
By pursuing what is genuinely needed, each part is rigorously optimized.
Daihatsu also works closely with suppliers through open and fair procurement activities to achieve the "high quality and affordability" appropriate for mini-vehicles and compact cars.

Two keywords to achieve high-quality, affordable products

DNGA ( Daihatsu New Global Architecture )

DNGA is Daihatsu’s unique new approach to car manufacturing. Starting from mini-vehicles, it develops new platforms through an "integrated planning and development" process. Every aspect, from the powertrain and body to advanced features, evolves with groundbreaking technologies such as a new CVT. Since the launch of the new Tanto in 2019, DNGA has expanded to small cars domestically and internationally.

SSC ( Simple, Slim, Compact )

To construct a business model where mini-vehicles thrive, Daihatsu established the second plant at Daihatsu Kyushu Oita (Nakatsu) in 2007. This plant produces the same volume using about half the area and investment as conventional factories. With its simple, slim, and compact facilities and processes, Daihatsu delivers high-quality car manufacturing, spreading this technology and expertise to factories in Japan and overseas.

Carbon Neutrality

Daihatsu is working to achieve future carbon neutrality in alignment with the goals of various countries.
The company is tackling CO2 emission reductions across all areas, including product development, manufacturing, and logistics, contributing to solving the global issue of climate change.

Carbon neutrality in product development

Daihatsu's small-size cars are lightweight, fuel-efficient, resource-saving,
and environmentally friendly. For many years, Daihatsu has focused on small cars and honed its technological expertise. Now, the company is promoting electrification tailored to local needs and customer demands to further reduce CO2 emissions. Initially, Daihatsu has introduced hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and is also developing battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

e-SMART HYBRID

As a system that is best suited to small cars, which are mainly used for short trips around town with lots of STOP&GO driving, we have adopted a series hybrid system with a simple structure that uses a dedicated engine for power generation.
It was first implemented in the 2021 compact SUV, the Rocky.

Newly developed WA engine

The newly developed 1.2 L 3-cylinder engine optimized for hybrid use contributes significantly to the improvements in dynamic performance, fuel efficiency, lightness and compactness, and quietness.

Carbon neutrality in manufacturing

We aim to achieve carbon neutrality in our production processes by 2035 by focusing on three main pillars: “energy conservation through the pursuit of SSC,” “development and incorporation of innovative technologies, ”and “utilizing renewable energy.”

Refining the Kyoto (Oyamazaki) plant

The Kyoto (Oyamazaki) plant, which began full operations as a next-generation facility in 2022, uses original technologies such as air conditioning recycling in the paint booth to save energy. Additionally,
the plant aims to be ”people-friendly" by reducing the physical burden on employees.

Biomass utilization project

Daihatsu is conducting trials to use biogas derived from cow manure as a heat source for its factories. This project is being carried out in collaboration with local governments and farmers (both crop and livestock).

Safety and Security

We are committed to realizing a mobility society where everyone can move safely and securely
in their daily lives and work.

Following the philosophy of “providing advanced technologies to everyone,” Daihatsu has miniaturized and lightened expensive cutting-edge features, offering them at affordable prices.
For example, in 2012, we became the first automaker to equip a mini-vehicle with a collision avoidance support brake, which helped instigate its widespread adoption.
Moving forward, we will continue to develop advanced safety features that reflect our unique approach and deliver them to many customers, contributing to a safe and secure mobility society.

Preventive safety function Smart Assist

In addition to evolving its collision-avoidance support function such as through the use of compact stereo cameras, functions were added to help customers drive safely and with peace of mind. These functions include supporting recognition, reducing driving burden, and assisting with parking. This includes adopting Smart Assist not only in mini vehicles and compact passenger cars but also mini commercial vehicle, compact commercial vehicle, and special purpose vehicles

Daihatsu Connect

When the Daihatsu Connect app is installed on the smartphones of drivers and their families, users gain access to four types of support: Connected Support, which provides safety and peace of mind in times of emergency; Visible Drive, which safeguards both driver and car; My Car Visualization, which enables the condition of the car to be checked via smartphones; and Connected Care, which provides support for vehicle maintenance and management.

Aiming for the realization of future autonomous driving technologies

Daihatsu is conducting experiments on autonomous driving technology to achieve a society where people of all ages can move freely.
One such test took place in a suburban residential area in Kobe City, Kita Ward, where the population is aging rapidly. The area has narrow roads and many slopes, typical of hilly regions, making it ideal for
mini-vehicles.
However, challenges such as pedestrian crossings and passing cars on narrow streets require precise control and detection accuracy.
Daihatsu is refining its technology through repeated test drives.