Daihatsu named as the top seller in micro sedan segment in Japan

Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (DMC) announced that the company plans to sell 1 million Daihatsu branded vehicles in China this year, compared with 950,000 vehicles sold last year. Daihatsu vehicles sold under Toyota's license were 300,000 units last year and are expected to reach 360,000 this year, said Kosuke Shiramizu,Chairman of the Board DMC, at Shanghai Auto Show 2007. The brand's market share last year has exceeded that of Suzuki in the Japanese market and becomes the top domestic seller in the micro vehicle market. Shiramizu added Daihatsu also celebrated its 100th anniversary and hit its record profit in the year 2006.

Daihatsu has begun preparations towards the eventual launch of the XENIA a long time ago. The XENIA is a globally strategic vehicle that enjoys a good reputation worldwide, particularly in East Asia, and has been specially modified to suit the Chinese market. Production will be carried out at FAW Jilin Automobile Co., Ltd. (FAW Jilin Auto), a group company of FAW. FAW Jilin Auto will be also responsible for sales, creating an independent Daihatsu sales network based on FAW Jilin Auto's existing network. The launch of the XENIA will mark the first time that the Daihatsu brand has made a full-scale entry into the Chinese market.