Japan’s unique minivehicles are a good option for those who aren’t sold on size.
Small 660cc engines, cheap to buy, lower regulatory costs and, of course, fuel efficiency make the vehicle popular.
It’s been said that the launch of Daihatsu’s Mira e:S in Japan in 2011 started an efficiency war – it delivered 3.3L/100km.
Suzuki and Daihatsu owned the mini market, and fought tooth and nail to get better figures. Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan all started to see value selling the smallest cars and the competition got stiffer.
Japan’s land, infrastructure, transport and tourism ministry had the market leader in mini efficiency as Suzuki’s Alto sipping just 2.7L/100km.
The stakes in the mini world are high, and industry analysts have suggested that this battle for better mileage was the driving force behind Mitsubishi falsifying its data
Join the conversation