Daihatsu quits Europe

The first Japanese car imported into the UK was the Daihatsu Compagno back in 1966.


But now the manufacturer has announced it is to give up selling vehicles in Europe altogether. A notice posted on the Daihatsu UK web site reads:

“It was announced on 13th January 2011 that sales of Daihatsu motor cars will cease across Europe on 31st January 2013. This is due to the ongoing strength of the Japanese Yen, which has increased prices beyond competitive levels. There is no stock of new Daihatsu cars in the UK, and we do not expect to import any new cars in this interim period.

“However, we wish to reassure Daihatsu owners that all after sales services will continue unaffected. Therefore, the supply of spare parts will continue, and warranty work and servicing will be carried out at our official UK dealer network, which remains in place and whose details can be found on this website.

“We thank Daihatsu customers for their past custom and loyalty, and share their disappointment at this news.”

Circumstances for the firm have not been easy, with cheap new cars from countries such as Malaysia, Korea and India competing directly with and undercutting Daihatsu’s range.

Combined with a lack of European production facilities that might have protected against exchange rate movements, the situation had clearly become impossible.

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