Daihatsu to end UK sales.
Discussion
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/buying-and-sellin...
One of the few small car and 4X4 manufacturers that I actually quite liked.
One of the few small car and 4X4 manufacturers that I actually quite liked.
Slightly off topic
Wave goodbye, then say hello - to the 'new' Lada Niva, back from the ashes...some consolation, I know
(I'd have one, though!)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...
Wave goodbye, then say hello - to the 'new' Lada Niva, back from the ashes...some consolation, I know
(I'd have one, though!)http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...
dieselglider said:
Are we going to see an immediate, dramatic fall in Daihatsu used values?
I've quite fancied one of the newer shape Terios's as a second car, but they always seem a bit steep in price.
It must be stressed, Daihatsu are not going out of business, just merely pulling out of Europe. Spares and servicing should not be a problemI've quite fancied one of the newer shape Terios's as a second car, but they always seem a bit steep in price.
I am on the lookout for a small (ish) 4x4 though!
V88Dicky said:
dieselglider said:
Are we going to see an immediate, dramatic fall in Daihatsu used values?
I've quite fancied one of the newer shape Terios's as a second car, but they always seem a bit steep in price.
It must be stressed, Daihatsu are not going out of business, just merely pulling out of Europe. Spares and servicing should not be a problemI've quite fancied one of the newer shape Terios's as a second car, but they always seem a bit steep in price.
I am on the lookout for a small (ish) 4x4 though!
In 2004
For example, combined registrations of Daihatsu, Isuzu, Perodua, Proton and SsangYong in this country last year were just under 9,400 units. That involved the efforts of four import groups, over 450 dealerships and thousands of people to achieve a market share of 0.4 per cent between them
IM group hold the Daihatsu concession -how the hell did Bob Edmiston become Richest Motor Trader in UK with a 300MILLION fortune on such small scale companies ????
- and many who ended up with no sales network in UK (Jensen, and De Tomaso to name 2)
How the hell did Daihatsu flop when every OAP was buying Jap superminis in Scrappage scheme?
For example, combined registrations of Daihatsu, Isuzu, Perodua, Proton and SsangYong in this country last year were just under 9,400 units. That involved the efforts of four import groups, over 450 dealerships and thousands of people to achieve a market share of 0.4 per cent between them
IM group hold the Daihatsu concession -how the hell did Bob Edmiston become Richest Motor Trader in UK with a 300MILLION fortune on such small scale companies ????
- and many who ended up with no sales network in UK (Jensen, and De Tomaso to name 2) How the hell did Daihatsu flop when every OAP was buying Jap superminis in Scrappage scheme?
Targarama said:
Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici? I think the same drivetrain as the Grand Vitara. I've been considering all three to replace the cheap 3rd motor in our stable, but, pending test drives, I may have settled on a 1.4 16V Grande Punto with winter tyres instead (Panda 100HP upgrade).
I think your budget may be a smidge higher than mine (3k absolute max).Grand Vitara 1.6 or 2.0 sport, or Terios looking good.
V88Dicky said:
Targarama said:
Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici? I think the same drivetrain as the Grand Vitara. I've been considering all three to replace the cheap 3rd motor in our stable, but, pending test drives, I may have settled on a 1.4 16V Grande Punto with winter tyres instead (Panda 100HP upgrade).
I think your budget may be a smidge higher than mine (3k absolute max).Grand Vitara 1.6 or 2.0 sport, or Terios looking good.
LuS1fer said:
V88Dicky said:
Targarama said:
Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici? I think the same drivetrain as the Grand Vitara. I've been considering all three to replace the cheap 3rd motor in our stable, but, pending test drives, I may have settled on a 1.4 16V Grande Punto with winter tyres instead (Panda 100HP upgrade).
I think your budget may be a smidge higher than mine (3k absolute max).Grand Vitara 1.6 or 2.0 sport, or Terios looking good.
Bizarre looks though, remind me of the Amphi-car
I'm gutted. I really like their cars - most of the recent models are fun, frugal and extremely reliable.
The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
peterbredde said:
I'm gutted. I really like their cars - most of the recent models are fun, frugal and extremely reliable.
The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
So why are Hyundai and Kia doing so well? Daihatsu didn't move with the times. (I do like them, even way back when my Dad had a Charmant for a while - nice car).The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
Targarama said:
So why are Hyundai and Kia doing so well? Daihatsu didn't move with the times. (I do like them, even way back when my Dad had a Charmant for a while - nice car).
Can't see how they haven't moved with the times, here's some of the official figures for the Sirion and Charade, all look pretty good to me Sirion 1.3;
Fuel consumption (urban) 35.8 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 54.3 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 45.6 mpg
0 - 62 mph 10.5 seconds
Top speed 109 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 102 bhp
Engine torque 97 lbs/ft
Plant food 145g/km
Sirion 1.0;
Fuel consumption (urban) 46.3 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 64.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 56.5 mpg
0 - 62 mph 13.9 seconds
Top speed 99 mph
Cylinders 3
Valves 12 v
Engine power 68 bhp
Engine torque 69 lbs/ft
Plant food 118g/km
Charade 1.0;
Fuel consumption (urban) 47.1 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 68.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 58.9 mpg
0 - 62 mph 12.2 seconds
Top speed 99 mph
Cylinders 3
Valves 12 v
Engine power 58 bhp
Engine torque 67.1 lbs/ft
Plant food 114g/km
If you mean that they don't offer a diesel version, well I say good on them, with those sorts of figures, I don't think they need one.
peterbredde said:
I'm gutted. I really like their cars - most of the recent models are fun, frugal and extremely reliable.
The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
Daihatsus say strong yen - but that is PR guff - why arn't other Jap makers affected -esp someone like their closest rival Suzuki?The whole thing says an awful lot about the state of the industry in Eurpoe. They are leaving for 2 reasons:
1. The appreciation of the Yen against the Euro. Well, that's econcomics for you. But still, I've been driving Jap wagons for ever now and short of buying a Subaru or a Daihatsu nowadays you can't actually buy one that way made in Japan. And that, IMHO, makes a big difference in quality and reliability.
2. Daihatsu is struggling with Euro emmissions regs. This from a manufacturer whose entire range is now made up of a mix of sensible furgal cars and super-frugal ones. The problem is that other Euro marques can throw millions at blessing their ranges with some models that comply and some that are just plain bonkers 5 litre V8 monsters.
A quirky, fun, funky, reliable, and interesting alternative for the British motorist is being lost. That's a shame in my books.
Not sure about your second theory - are you saying they flopped because they don't have big thirsty engines??
I think they have lost sales in scrappage to the Koreans - with the Korean's better warranty and aftersales pacakage deals (and not lack of diesel as the excellent MPG figures rightly pointed out)
Also bear in mind in the Hijet they have one of the best selling micro vans in UK- so it is puzzling that they are leaving that mkt share behind for grabs
Other Japanese manufacturers have set up base camp in the UK and the rest of Europe while Daihatsu has been manufacturing mainly in the Far East. This has proved a very expensive way to do business over the past 20 years on average.
Japanese manufacturers with a base in Europe have much greater control over supply and react quickly to changes in Euro econcomies. Exchange rates don't hit them as hard as they can spread their exposure. The Koreans have been playing this game. I personally don't think it is all PR guff. It's econcomics. Ford don't build UK destined Mondeos in Detroit for a very good reason. Daihatsu have always been a bit of a niche in the UK and that may well be their own failing. Still, I think it's sad to seem them go.
BTW, I don't think the lack of a deisel has got anything to do with it. If you go looking for a very cheap frugal simple A to B car in the UK thats low on tax (if that happens to be your thing), most of the lower priced cars on your list will be 3 cylinder petrol models. Manufacturers take the proverbial with the price of their deisel models.
Japanese manufacturers with a base in Europe have much greater control over supply and react quickly to changes in Euro econcomies. Exchange rates don't hit them as hard as they can spread their exposure. The Koreans have been playing this game. I personally don't think it is all PR guff. It's econcomics. Ford don't build UK destined Mondeos in Detroit for a very good reason. Daihatsu have always been a bit of a niche in the UK and that may well be their own failing. Still, I think it's sad to seem them go.
BTW, I don't think the lack of a deisel has got anything to do with it. If you go looking for a very cheap frugal simple A to B car in the UK thats low on tax (if that happens to be your thing), most of the lower priced cars on your list will be 3 cylinder petrol models. Manufacturers take the proverbial with the price of their deisel models.
Whilst their MPG figures certainly suggest no need for a diesel -the average car buyer now leans heavily to a diesel rather than a petrol- they are sucked in by the Diesel mega MPG mantra- even though the extra price as you say makes for a false economy
Sometimes it's better to give buyers what they want , rather than what they need
I always thought the UK/Euro production was more about getting around the quotas and protectionist policies - although i'm sure there would be other benefits such as the flexibility you state
Sometimes it's better to give buyers what they want , rather than what they need
I always thought the UK/Euro production was more about getting around the quotas and protectionist policies - although i'm sure there would be other benefits such as the flexibility you state
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