Daihatsu to Produce Hybrid Electric Vehicle Based on Hijet Cargo

Tokyo (JCNN) - Daihatsu Motor announced October 6 that the company has begun the development of a hybrid electric vehicle based on its Hijet Cargo commercial mini car (659cc) to bring it to market as early as summer 2005.

Daihatsu has been monitoring the use of the new hybrid electric vehicle in collaboration with government offices and several companies since October 2002. Having collected the data in actual use, the company successfully developed a model that meets the needs of commercial mini car users. In the coming months, Daihatsu plans to further advance development in terms of commercial production and manufacturing cost.

Production is scheduled to begin this December at the automaker's Nakatsu plant in Oita Prefecture. In addition, Daihatsu plans to showcase the new hybrid electric vehicle at the 2004 Tokyo Motor Show that will take place from November 3.