Daihatsu · 1960–present

Daihatsu Atrai

The Daihatsu Hijet (Japanese: ダイハツ・ハイゼット, Hepburn: Daihatsu Haizetto), is a cab over microvan and kei truck produced and sold by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu since 1960. The Daihatsu Atrai (Japanese: ダイハツ・アトレー, Hepburn: Daihatsu Atorē), a passenger-specific version, was introduced in 1981. Despite the similarities between the Hijet name and Toyota's naming scheme for its trucks and vans (HiAce and Hilux), the name "Hijet" has been in use for Daihatsu's kei trucks and microvans since 1960, over two decades before Toyota took control. "Hijet", when transliterated into Japanese, is very similar to "Midget", one of Daihatsu's other mini-trucks. According to Daihatsu, the name "Hijet" was created to imply that the vehicle offers higher performance than the Midget. The Hijet competes in Japan with the Honda Acty, Mitsubishi Minicab, Nissan Clipper, Subaru Sambar and Suzuki Carry. By November 2020, around 7.4 million Hijets had been sold in Japan.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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History

The first Hijet received a 360 cc two-stroke engine, as was dictated by the kei car laws of the time. The Hijet's development has long followed the evolution of Japan's kei regulations, with an increase to 550 cc in 1976 and then 660 cc for 1990. Exterior dimensions also increased from 3.0 m × 1.3 m (118 in × 51 in) to 3.4 m × 1.475 m (134 in × 58 in) as the regulations changed over the years. Export versions have usually been slightly larger as bigger bumpers and sometimes wider bodies are fitted. During 1980, the two millionth Hijet was built.

First generation (L35/L36)

The first vehicle to bear the name Hijet from Daihatsu was a kei truck in November 1960, with the enclosed light van model following in May 1961. The first generation Hijet used a conventional front engine, rear-wheel-drive format with the driver sitting behind the engine, in a similar pickup fashion. The exterior dimensions and engine displacement were in compliance with "kei class" regulations in Japan at its introduction. The 356 cc engine produced 17 PS (12.5 kW), making for a top speed of 75 km/h (47 mph) with a 3-speed manual, typical numbers for the class at the time. In 1964, the Hijet received a facelift, replacing its body-colored grille with a more conventional chromed unit and the engine layout was changed to cab-over. A heavier duty model of the Hijet, the New-Line (L50P/L50V), arrived in January 1963. It was a half-metre (20 in) longer and could carry 500 kg (1,102 lb) thanks to a larger, 800 cc engine with 41 PS (30 kW). Developed with an eye to export markets, this car did not meet the strict kei car standards of the time and sold only in small numbers. When the first generation Hijet was replaced in February 1966, the New-Line was discontinued.

Second generation (S35/S36)

To maximize cargo carrying space while still staying in the "kei" class regulations, a cabover approach was adopted in 1964, offering buyers the choice between the first generation style or the cabover approach. This generation appearance was also introduced as the larger "New Line Cab" Daihatsu cabover truck (S50, S50T), replacing the earlier L50 New Line. As for its predecessor, it shared its engine with the Daihatsu Compagno. The New Line Cab was built from February 1966 until March 1968. The cabover bodystyle approach appeared after the 1950 Volkswagen Type 2, the 1961 Ford Econoline, the 1961 Chevrolet Greenbrier, and during the same year as the Dodge A100.

Third generation (S37)

The first model change consisted mostly of minor improvements. The appearance became boxier overall, with a more wedgy appearance and square headlights in prominent dark-colored shrouds. The front doors became hinged in the modern manner as opposed to the earlier rear-hinged doors. The ZM I engine produced 23 PS (17 kW) at 5000 rpm and was capable of accelerating the Hijet (truck or van) to a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph). This generation was also offered as an all-electric truck and van.

Fourth generation (S38/S40)

In September 1971, the fourth generation Hijet appeared, with all-new sheetmetal, initially available only as a truck. The engine remained the ZM 360 cc two-stroke two-cylinder, while the rear suspension reverted to a live, leaf-sprung unit. In February 1972, a new Van was presented, originally marketed as the "Slide Van" as it now featured sliding doors on both sides in addition to a top-hinged tailgate. In September 1974, the front clip and rear bumper underwent light changes to accommodate full-size yellow license plates (hitherto, kei cars had been equipped with smaller plates than normal). In October 1976, the four-stroke Hijet 550 appeared, with the new 550 cc AB20 engine taking full advantage of the recent new kei regulations. Bigger bumpers meant that all Hijets built after this date are slightly longer, as the 360 received the same external changes simultaneously, including a new front clip. To reflect the new engine, the 550 received the new chassis code "S40". In export trim, where it was sold as the Daihatsu 550 Cab and Cab-Van, this engine has 30 PS (22 kW) at 5,500 rpm, and 4.2 kg⋅m (41 N⋅m; 30 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm. The 550 Van had an advantage of a higher carrying capacity than the 360 Van, at 350 rather than 300 kg (772 and 661 lb respectively). Less than a year after the introduction of the 550, the wider and longer Hijet Wide 55 (S60) appeared, but the Hijet 550 continued in production and even underwent a facelift in April 1979 and now carried a blacked out grille. In April 1981, the four-stroke S40 Hijet 550 was discontinued, but the two-stroke S38 continued to be available until August 1981 as a low-cost version (by which time the sixth generation Hijet was already on sale). The later ZM-engined versions had 24 PS (18 kW). The two-stroke was also pop

Fifth generation (S60)

In April 1977, production of the truck version of the fifth generation began. Called the "Hijet Wide 55", to draw attention to its wider body and bigger 550 cc engine, this was the first Hijet to reach export markets in any serious numbers. The 547 cc AB20 was a four-stroke, water-cooled two-cylinder unit with a single overhead camshaft and balance axle. Power output is 28 PS (21 kW) at 5,500 rpm, while max torque is 4.0 kg⋅m (39 N⋅m; 29 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm. Export versions, which had to face less stringent emissions requirements, offered 30 PS (22 kW) at the same engine speed and 4.2 kg⋅m (41 N⋅m; 30 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm. The only transmission installed is a four-speed manual with a floor-mounted shifter; export versions could reach a claimed 105 km/h (65 mph) top speed. The engine is mid-mounted just behind the front axle, and access is gained by simply lifting the front seats. Chassis code is "S60", with the succeeding letter "P" signifying a simple pickup bed with one opening flap; "T" for the three-way dropside pickup; and "V" for the vans. Three months after the introduction of the pickups (in June 1977), a glassed van with sliding doors and also a "panel van" version were released. The panel van was simply a truck with a box mounted on the rear; this version was not exported. For export, a van version without windows or rear seats was preferred. A low floor dropside bed was added in December 1977, and a minor facelift took place in September 1978. The changes were limited to different colored bumpers and headlight surrounds, and a changed metal grille insert featuring a larger "D" logo. All versions were available in either Standard or Super DeLuxe trims, but in March 1979, a comparatively luxurious "Custom EX" version of the light van was added. In September 1979

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Daihatsu Hijet

Manufacturer

Daihatsu

Assembly

Japan:, Ikeda, Osaka (Ikeda plant), Nakatsu, Ōita (Daihatsu Auto Body/Daihatsu Motor Kyushu, 2004–present)

aka

Daihatsu Atrai, Piaggio Porter, Toyota Sparky, Toyota Pixis Truck/Van

Production

November 1960 – present

Class

Kei truck, Microvan, Light commercial vehicle (outside Japan)

Body style

Pickup truck, Van

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1157545CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_HijetCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374827644 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Daihatsu_Atrai_Liberno_in_White,_front_right.jpgPublic domain · Photo: TTTNIS · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/atrai/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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