Japanese Mini Truck Makes & Models
Japanese mini truck regulations set clear design and size standards, but manufacturers have still found ways to differentiate their offerings and appeal to buyers. Below is an overview of the key manufacturers and their mini truck models.
Daihatsu, The #1 Mini Truck Maker
Daihatsu has been a key player in the mini truck market for a long time—since 1960, in fact—with the well-known Hijet nameplate. The Hijet has been such a significant bestseller that, as of November 2020, when celebrating its 60th anniversary, Daihatsu had sold 7.4 million units. This success has been bolstered by its over-a-decade-long unbroken reign at the top of the sales charts. Learn more about each of Daihatsu’s popular Hijet models here:
Suzuki: 39 Years At The Top, Now #2
Suzuki held the top spot in mini truck sales for 39 consecutive years until 2009. With such a long history of success, it’s clear they understand the Japanese mini truck market well. Although their well-known Carry models have since moved to second place in the sales rankings and are now showing their age, they remain a significant part of the market. Learn more about Suzuki’s main mini truck variants here:
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Other Japanese Mini Truck Makers
After whole sections solely dedicated to Daihatsu and Suzuki, it may seem unusual to group other manufacturers together, especially when major names like Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mazda, and Honda are included. However, there’s a practical reason for this. After years of intense competition, even these prominent manufacturers recognized that carving out a small share of a market largely dominated by Daihatsu and Suzuki wasn’t a sustainable strategy.
Then there are even bigger players like Toyota and Nissan, who never fully invested in the mini truck segment. Instead, their presence in the market comes through rebadged versions of Daihatsu or Suzuki models, allowing them to maintain a foothold without direct development.
Here’s an overview of the models produced by these smaller mini truck manufacturers:
Choosing The Best Mini Truck For You
The sheer range of options available may appear overwhelming at first. If you’re unsure about the different makes and models but have a clear idea of how you plan to use your mini truck, our guide can help you identify the best fit for your needs. Click here to get started. Alternatively, you can browse our mini trucks for sale here. If you have questions about any specific truck, simply click the “Ask A Question” button on the listing, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
