Daihatsu Lets Kei Cars Loose While An Unexpected GR Surprise Awaits | Carscoops

      The ideas showcased in Tokyo draw inspiration from the Hijet, Move, and Tanto Custom, but it's the unshown aspects by Daihatsu that are capturing attention.

      Daihatsu is preparing to make a significant impact at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, which will open to the public on January 9. Its collection features an extensively modified dump truck version of the Hijet, a Tanto with an oversized grille, and a sportier variant of the Move minivan.

      Arguably, the star of the show is a Hijet Truck concept adorned with chrome and brightly illuminated like a traveling festival. The combination of mirror-polished accents, unique lighting elements, and a specially designed graphic livery makes it very hard to overlook.

      Its bed is decorated with hand-drawn illustrations that celebrate each generation of the Hijet and pay homage to the classic Midget. Additionally, the rear bumper boasts 14 round LED taillights for extra visual appeal.

      The festive theme continues with additional lighting on the wheels, side panels, front bumper, and roof, giving the truck a mobile theme park vibe. Inside, the surreal experience continues, featuring upholstery that blends floral designs with portraits of past Hijet models.

      In contrast, the Hijet Panel Van Extend3 concept adopts a more subdued approach. It features a sliding rear extension to enhance cargo capacity when parked, beadlock-style wheels, robust tires, and a functional roof rack.

      The lineup also includes two concepts based on the latest generation of Move. The first is the #ootd version, showcasing a two-tone exterior, a blocked grille, highlighted headlight trim, a roof rack, retro-inspired wheels, and a denim-themed interior filled with lifestyle accessories.

      The second Move concept, named Kuromeki, adopts a sportier vibe. It boasts new alloy wheels, a matte gray finish, a sharper body kit, and an illuminated grille and mirror caps that appear forged. Its interior is themed in dark shades with suede upholstery.

      Taking the spotlight at the end of the lineup is another Kuromeki concept based on the Tanto Custom. This iteration features a fully redesigned front end with a massive grille that nearly covers the entire bumper.

      Its design is inspired by larger minivans like the Toyota Vellfire, scaled down to kei specifications, resulting in an almost surreal appearance. The front fascia is dominated by the grille, flanked by slim vertical daytime running lights and a low splitter that enhances the visual width of the van.

      Additional enhancements include a refreshed rear garnish, new wheels, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a custom interior featuring grey and purple upholstery.

      Daihatsu has also teased a preview image of its booth at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. Notably, a section marked Daihatsu Gazoo Racing obscures five more concepts beneath covers.

      While details about these models were not disclosed, one could be a GR-branded version of the Daihatsu Copen. The other four likely appear to be minivans, potentially upgraded with sportier body kits and enhanced chassis setups.