Daihatsu has pulled out of the country – what happens now?

If you are one of many who haven’t heard, Daihatsu has pulled out of the country. 

Yes, the Daihatsu brand has withdrawn from the South African market, meaning the importer and their dealers stopped selling cars at the end of March 2015.

Considering the Daihatsu brand has become synonymous for simple low-cost but often interesting and unique smaller cars, with a good local following, it is indeed strange.  Their slogan “Innovative Reliable Motoring” sums it up well.

But why, if buyers were still choosing to buy new Daihatsu vehicles, did the manufacturer stop sales?  The official answer is that Daihatsu Japan head office has taken the strategy to pull out of western markets to focus on eastern markets where do they well.  Daihatsu has already pulled out of Australia, New Zealand and Europe a few years ago, but says it kept the SA market for a bit longer because of how well they have always done in SA.

What does this mean for Daihatsu owners in SA, in respect of parts availability, warranty, servicing, resale values and such considerations?  Imperial Daihatsu commits that it will continue full back-up to owners, with agreements to keep parts supply, honour warranties, and provide aftersales service, and resale values are still high as Daihatsu remains a popular used-car choice.

Considering Daihatsu is an affiliate of Toyota, and some cars we know here as Daihatsu are branded Toyota elsewhere (such as the Daihatsu Terios also being marketed as the Toyota Rush in other markets) could it happen that some cars that would have been badged Daihatsus would be available locally as Toyotas?  Probably not, says the local importer.