Toyota-owned Daihatsu, a gas engine stalwart, tries again in hybrid cars

One of Japan's biggest minicar makers joins electrification race

Daihatsu Motor intends to release a hybrid version of its Rocky SUV, with plans to make a similar switch for its minicars. (Photo by Ryutaro Yokoyama)

RYOTARO SATO and KOSUKE TOSHI, Nikkei staff writers

January 22, 2021 03:47 JST

OSAKA -- Japan's Daihatsu Motor -- the country's only major automaker to develop all gasoline-powered cars -- plans to roll out a hybrid compact SUV this year in a second attempt at electrified vehicles, Nikkei has learned.