In Japan, the new Daihatsu Move became a hit — demand exceeded all expectations

The new Daihatsu Move turned out to be unexpectedly popular, significantly exceeding the manufacturer's forecasts. Daihatsu reported an impressive start to sales of the updated kei car, which in its seventh generation has shifted from a tall hatchback to a compact van with convenient sliding doors. Buyers especially favored the top versions of the model.

Initially, the premiere of the novelty was planned for 2023, but it had to be postponed due to a scandal related to the falsification of crash test data. As a result, the car only went on sale on June 5 of this year. Despite the delay, the wait was justified: in the first month, the Japanese placed about 30,000 orders for the Move, although the monthly sales plan was only 6,000 units.

According to Daihatsu, the model attracted buyers across different age groups. Among the key advantages, owners noted the modern design, practical sliding doors, affordable price, good equipment, and driving comfort. The G and RS trim levels are in the greatest demand, with the RS offering a more sporty nature.

The new Move is built on the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, which is shared among several models of the brand. The overall length dimensions remained unchanged (3395 mm) — a requirement of Japanese law for kei cars. However, the height and wheelbase have increased: now 1655/1670 mm and 2460 mm compared to the previous 1630 mm and 2455 mm respectively.

The available equipment list includes heated front seats, wireless charging, a multimedia system (optional), adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, and blind spot monitoring. Additionally, packages for individual styling are offered.

Under the hood of the Move is a three-cylinder 660 cc engine with 52 horsepower and 60 Nm of torque. The RS version includes a turbocharger, boosting output to 64 horsepower and 100 Nm. All modifications are paired with a CVT, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The starting price for the new Daihatsu Move is 1,358,500 yen (about $9,200), while the top version is priced at 2,024,000 yen ($13,800 at the current exchange rate).