This mini-crossover sold 4.5 times Daihatsu’s monthly sales target.
Car sales seems to be going up globally after this pandemic as demonstrated by Daihatsu’s amazing achievement to shift over 18,000 of its newly launched Taft kei SUV in the first month of its launch alone.
This astounding result has even surprised the Japanese automaker as it originally monthly sales target was just 4,000 units a month. Thus putting the figure of 18,000 Tafts sold 4.5 times what Daihatsu has estimated. Bearing in mind this tiny SUV is only being sold in Japan for the foreseeable future.
The Daihatsu Taft, which stands for “Tough & Almighty Fun Tool” is built on a modified Toyota kei car platform as part of the Daihatsu New Generation Architecture (DNGA). Related to the Daihatsu Tanto kei car, the Taft is a chunkier looking off-road version of the Tanto and was envisioned as a replacement for the equally-strange Daihatsu Cast Active and Sport.
As per Japanese kei car regulations, under the bonnet of the Taft is a 658 cc 3 cylinder petrol engine producing 51 hp or a mighty 63 hp if the turbo option is ticked. Both engines are mated to a CVT transmission that either drives only the front wheels or all four wheels on select models.
On the inside of this rugged-looking 4×4, the main highlight would be the standard full length glass roof for which Daihatsu calls the “Sky Feel Top”. In terms of safety features, the new Taft is equipped with an upgraded version of Daihatsu’s Smart Assist active safety suite which includes road sign recognition and lane departure warning.
Starting at just 1,353,000 yen (RM 53,500), maybe instead of the Axia Style we could have gotten this cutesy Hummer-like Daihatsu instead?
More information can be found in the press release below:
Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Daihatsu”) announced today that its new TAFT mini crossover, which went on sale on June 10, 2020, has achieved total orders of approximately 18,000 units in the first month of its release. This is 4.5 times more than its monthly sales target of 4,000 units, and marks an outstandingly successful launch.
The TAFT seeks to be a partner that can be actively used in both everyday and leisure scenes, and that makes daily life more enjoyable; it was launched into the expanding mini crossover market. The car’s exterior design exudes a toughness and power essential to SUVs, it comes equipped as standard with the “Sky Feel Top,” a large glass roof, while the rear of the vehicle is a “flexible space” that can be freely arranged. The TAFT also features an upgraded version of the Smart Assist active safety system, while the new DNGA platform guarantees outstanding basic performance—all at an affordable price appropriate to a mini vehicle.
Based on its “Light you up” approach, going forward Daihatsu will continue to provide optimal mobility to every one of its customers, and cater to their needs via its extended range of mini vehicles and compact cars.
