The e EVERY CONCEPT will be presented as a commercial EV van, equipped with a full electric (BEV) drivetrain that was joint developed by the three companies. Consistent with the previous announcement, the range has been listed to be 200km (~125 mi).
Also consistent is its appearance, which seems to be heavily based on the current S700 Daihatsu Hijet Cargo, rather than the existing Suzuki Every. As the original announcement said that the new EV cargo van will be produced at Daihatsu's factory, it is very likely that this Suzuki Every variant will be based on the Hijet Cargo.
In addition to the e-Every Concept, Suzuki is also presenting various electric mobility concepts that visualize a future of electric mobility for people and cargo in the future. This includes the four-legged MOQBA, the SUZU-RIDE / SUZU-CARGO four-wheeled electric scooter, and the LM-A autonomous cargo delivery robot.
As the world is racing towards electric and autonomous solutions to our current mobility needs, Suzuki is still at the forefront of practical, useful, and exciting solutions. We will surely be reporting on the latest offerings here in Japan, and ready to share them with the globe when we can.
]]>Kei vans, popular in Japan, are known for their compact size, versatility, and efficiency. By combining Toyota’s EV technology with Suzuki and Daihatsu’s expertise in developing and building kei vehicles, they plan to create a commercial EV that will fit the needs of small businesses and individuals across Japan.
From the prototype photos it seems that this new van will be heavily based on the current S700 series Daihatsu Hijet Cargo van, which currently is also sold as the Toyota Pixis Van. It was further confirmed that the vehicle will be produced by Daihatsu and released by the end of 2023. This marks further convergence in the kei van market, which has been happening steadily since the late 1990s. With this news it leaves three distinct models of commercial EV kei vans: the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV, Honda N-Van EV, and this new one. It also marks the first time that Suzuki and Daihatsu are sharing a van platform with one another.
The range is expected to be around 200km (~125 mi), perfectly catering to the needs of urban commuters, small businesses, and delivery services.
EVs have been well established in the Japanese commercial market for over a decade at this point, with the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV being famously used by Japan Post for local courier services in Major cities. Honda is also collaborating with Yamato shipping on a trial run of their N-Van EV prototype in select cities.
As the partnership progresses, we eagerly anticipate further details regarding the specifications, launch timeline, and pricing of the new EV kei van. With these renowned Japanese automakers working in unison, the future of compact electric vehicles is poised for significant advancement, promising a greener, more efficient, and exciting driving experience for all.
We’ll also be eagerly updating you on how you can get your hands on these new EV units outside of Japan. We expect to be able to offer them from early 2024 to the NZ and Australia markets and expanding from there as soon as possible.
]]>This is one of the most common questions we come across from our customers and we’d like to clarify this so everyone can know exactly what features they’re getting from their trucks. Quite simply, Axle Lock is not Diff Lock, and Diff Lock is not Axle Lock, they are both separate features.
Axle Lock is an electronic switch that locks and unlocks the front wheel hubs with the ease of a button, rather than stepping out of the vehicle to manually turn the wheel hub locks like older 4x4 trucks require.
On Suzuki Carry mini trucks equipped with 4WD, the Axle Lock button is necessary in order to engage 4WD and transfer engine power to the front axles.
To properly use Axle Lock, first push the button on the dash and confirm that the light has turned on. Then engage 4WD with the selector switch in the center console, use 4 high (4H) if equipped with hi/lo gears. After this, begin to drive the truck and it should be engaged in 4WD. If Axle Lock is not engaged, the truck will still only be powered by the rear wheels.
Locking the rear differential ensures that power is being distributed to both rear wheels in order to enhance traction in adverse conditions. When the rear diff lock is not engaged, and the diff is “open”, and power is transferred to the wheel with the least amount of resistance. This transfers most power to one wheel in normal driving conditions. Without diff lock, if a wheel is in the air all of the power transfers through the one spinning in the air but not the one with grip. Thus, the diff lock helps by locking rear the rear differential, causing both the left and right rear wheels to turn in at the same time, even if one of the wheels loses contact with the ground and cannot find traction.
2H, which stands for 2WD High Range, is the normal driving mode for a mini truck. It’s the mode that should be selected when driving on normal road conditions to run more efficiently. In this mode, only the rear wheels drive the vehicle and the gearing is at its highest setting for maximum top speed. When driving off road in 2H it’s possible that the mini truck may not have the best traction, but for road use this is the most efficient option for speed and fuel efficiency.
4H, or 4WD High Range, should be used when driving at faster speeds on roads or terrains that require more traction. In this mode, all four wheels drive the vehicle to provide the traction required to move the vehicle on surfaces like dirt, sand, gravel, etc. As soon as this mode is engaged, the front axles start channeling torque to the front wheels. This can help to distribute torque across the wheels to ensure the truck will not be stuck or slip..
4L, or 4WD Low Range, should be engaged to get maximum power and traction from the engine and drivetrain. Ideally, this mode should be used when driving up or down a hill, through deep mud, snow, or rocky surfaces. It may also be useful when towing or hauling heavy cargo. In 4 low, the top speed is lowered due to lower gearing to provide maximum power. In order to engage 4L, the selector switch should first go into the neutral position (N), and then further down to 4L. There will be a satisfying and loud click when the vehicle switches to 4L after driving a short distance forward.
Some 4WD Suzuki Carry models are equipped with an extra low gear, also called crawler gear, on the manual transmission. This gear is set lower than 1st gear, and is meant to be used in low-speed conditions that require maximum traction. Carry trucks equipped with the extra low gear do not have the 4H/4L transfer case, so this is the best function to use if in adverse terrain with limited traction.
If 4H 4WD is engaged but Axle Lock is not, the truck will still remain in 2WD, with power going only to the rear wheels. However if 4WD 4L is engaged, the front drive axles are engaged automatically and 4WD will work. In short, if using 4WD High range, or if driving a truck without Hi/lo gears, Axle Lock is necessary. It is not necessary to use the axle lock button in 4WD low range.
It’s definitely possible that trucks can get stuck, but it’s best to use the features explained above in order to channel the engine’s power to the most efficient places. We recommend the following flow to get your truck out of a sticky situation:
The Suzuki Carry comes with many useful off-road features to ensure that it can get through some of the roughest terrains and conditions. We hope this guide will help you on your next journey in your Japanese mini truck. Please find a list of useful terms for the 4WD system below:
2H= Normal driving Conditions
4H= Normal/ High speed along with High Traction
4L= Low Speed (<10km/h) coupled with High power and Traction
4H + No Axle Lock = Acts as a 2WD ( In case of Suzuki Carry)
4H+ Axle Lock = Acts as a 4WD ( In case of Suzuki Carry)
4L= Acts as a 4WD (In case of Suzuki Carry)
No need to turn on Axle Lock if selector switch is in 4L
EL - Extra Low (Crawler) Gear
If interested in purchasing or asking any questions about the Suzuki Carry or other Japanese mini truck models, please contact us today and we’ll get you setup.
Let’s start right with the factory offerings. Suzuki was going for a hip look this year, with a DJ pumping out tunes as their models showed off each car and truck on display. They had two Jimny’s out, both ready to go off road.
A nautical themed Jimny, complete with recovery hooks and some weird tubes on the roof to hold fishing rods? Not sure about all of that but the bedliner treatment on the bumpers and fender flares looks great, good job Suzuki!
A more tame offering at the Suzuki booth, but this one looks more like the Jimny’s you’d see on the street (Sorry USA). Gotta love that traditional Jimny rhino on the spare tire cover, and those bright red mud flaps! Most of these parts are available in the Jimny parts catalog. You could spec this one out yourself, if you can get your hands on a new Jimny.
This custom ride if from Japanese parts maker JAOS, this Jimny features a lift kit, aftermarket wheels, tires, and more. All of these parts can presumably be found from their parts catalog.
Liberty Walk is best known for their bolted-on fender flares on questionably expensive cars. This year they seemed to be pairing up their booth with aftermarket lighting company Sphere Light. This one didn’t have the craziest fenders but it did have some nice tail lights. Not sure what’s up with that weird lift on the front wheels though.
Okay, it’s not a Jimny but it’s even cooler! This is a Suzuki Every kei van wearing a Jimny mask, and we love it! It’s like a pudgy, stubby, Jimny and probably just as capable. It’s no secret that Suzuki kei trucks and vans have always shared parts with their Jimny brother, this is just strengthening that connection.
The same company that made that Jimny van also put this roof-camper rig together. They also decided to make the Jimny look a bit “aggressive”, that can stay on the Jeep grills if you ask us. Roof campers seemed to be a big item at the show this year. We found dozens of them around the exhibit halls. Makes sense, Japanese people do love to sleep!
It’s taken no time at all for the aftermarket to dress up the Jimny as a mini Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and this is just one of many kits we found this year. The tail lights look pretty close to the real Benz ones, but the overall package is a bit too blingy for a Jimny if you ask us. Either way, it’s definitely looking upmarket from a standard Jimny.
One of a few builds from Pro-staff and Zeal, two popular parts manufacturers in Japan. Their booth was mostly filled with Mercedes G-Wagens but this Jimny took a nice corner spot and really shined. The beefy tires and fenders fit really well together, we like it! (They also had an amazing Suzuki Carry, see more on that in our mini truck blog)
Retro themed kits were also a big trend this year. This one is giving us a strong Land Cruiser vibe, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
These Jimny’s have a new face but don’t be fooled, they’re actually previous gen Jimny’s built and dressed up by some very crafty engineering students.
Another pair of retro-styled Jimny’s whitewalled tires and all. The blue one had a bit of a Land Rover Defender styled front, while the Pink one almost looks like a Toyota FJ40. It seems like the Jimny is just trying to be every other truck but itself!
Another G-Class look alike but this one seems to be the most thorough. It even has the naming right! The rear spare tire cover looks spot on and the whole kit does look really nice even if it is a shameless copy of the G-Wagen. If you’re looking to be a baller and still find parking in Tokyo, this is the whip for you!
Amazingly we only found one Jimny with a model posing in front of it. Apparently the Jimny doesn’t need anything else to garner our attention. Sailor-Jimny did a great job posing in front of this one, which had a strong Land Rover Defender vibe.
We love that old-school Toyota vibe on the graphics. Really, the overall package is great. Not sure why anyone would need to haul their radio flyer like that, but we hope it’s strapped down alright. Watch out for those basketballs!
This is apparently one of the first turbo kits for the Jimny, and it does look pretty sweet. This Jimny actually debuted at SEMA last year. Luckily it popped back up for the Auto Salon so we could check it out again! The info sheet says it makes just over 100hp and just under 100lb-ft of torque. Doesn’t seem like a lot but these trucks are tiny, we’re sure it’s a good time!
Another Jimny featuring the GReddy turbo kit. We like widened fenders and the old-school styled off-road rims. This is a quick and capable Jimny!
This Jimny also seemed to be going for the Land Rover look. It featured some Defender styled fender guards and a fuel-door delete. Save some weight and some time while filling up!
Center exhaust on your Jimny? Why not? They’ve taken styling elements from just about every other car on the market and slapped it onto these trucks so we’ll add this to the list.
Another Jimny trying to be something else. this one seems to be going for that G550 4×4 Squared look. It pulls it off quite well! We’re not so sure about those little hood scoops though. It’s like it’s snorting at us saying “I’m really am a big truck! I am, I am!”
Not all of the Jimny’s were out there to look like Land Rover and G-Classes, this one was all about the Bass. With more stickers than a middle schooler’s skateboard, it’s fitting that it also came with some video games.
All these Jimny’s are trying to be something else! This one wants to be a Defender so bad, it’s even got a British flag on it! It does look cool though. Cellstar is a company that makes drive recorders and radar detectors, so this would be a safe car to cruise around the Shuto Expressway in.
These Jimny’s are basically a hodgepodge of parts from kuruma dot com’s wide catalog. If you’re from America you might be thinking that those headlights are a bit of a no-no, but they’re totally cool here in Japan. We do see all kinds of wild lights on the roads like that. Usually they’re on more exotic cars, but why not a Jimny?
This Jimny does indeed go back to the roots, featuring a throwback front grill that mimics the original Jimny of the 60’s. It also has some retro tail-lights that will help you keep the old charm of getting rear-ended at night since no one can see you. The fake rust “patina” is also a nice touch.
Can’t wait for the new Bronco? Get yourself a Dronco to hold you over! It’s actually a pretty cool looking truck. Seems to use the same Apio body kit as the yellow one above, rocking that 1st gen Jimny grill. We dig the white steelies and the blue/white two tone. Definitely one of our favorites of the show.
Wait, that’s not a Jimny it’s a mutated Honda S660?! Well, yes and no. We spoke with the presenters and they told us that this beast is built on an old Jimny frame. This thing takes the battlecar trend to an absolute extreme, we love it!
Finally, found some bling that would fit right in on those G-class styled Jimny’s. Can’t think of a better named car for some bling than the Hustler though. This would be just as welcome hanging from a big blinged out chain. We might start a new rap group called the Jimny Hustla’s!
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By far the best display of mini trucks and vans was at the Daihatsu booth. They had three Hijet-based mini trucks on display, all of which brought a unique flavor of fun and practicality to the table. They seem to be kicking off a kid-friendly marketing strategy and their booth was totally fun for all ages! We’re glad to see an automaker getting the next generation of gearheads excited about mini trucks, engines, and automotive adventuring in general. Here are their latest mini truck concepts.
Japan’s technology and culture is world famous, and the ultimate intersection of those worlds is Vocaloid, computer generated pop stars. Hatsune Miku is one of the most famous vocaloid singers out there, and she doesn’t let reality get in her way. She has thousands of real life fans across the globe and plenty of merch to sell in her Hijet pop-up shop.
This retro-themed Hijet was converted to be a little merch store. The application is really clever and would make for a great display for any local business who wanted to sell wares at street fairs and festivals. Notice how the tables and the billboards also serve as the walls of the box enclosure on the bed. When the shop is closed you can simply pack everything up and fold the tables up into the walls. Daihatsu always knows how to keep it fun and practical.
Light You Up” is Daihatsu’s new company vision that “encourages you to express yourself freely and vigorously.” This is one of the most vigorous Hijets we’ve seen, that’s for sure. The paint has more sparkle than a lush bath bomb factory, and the subwoofer “fog lights” would fit right in on a West Coast Customs pimp my mini truck special.
This is based on a Hijet Jumbo, which features an enlarged cabin for a bit more space inside. We dig the clever use of the Jumbo’s rear cabin window as an equalizer. And the whole DJ setup in the bed looks functional and fun!
We’re not sure if those steps pack up nicely into the bed with all of the other equipment, but you probably wouldn’t need them to. One of the great benefits of mini trucks is that they’re so easy to get in and out of. Bed heights are low enough to easily load and unload cargo while standing, or to simply climb in and out of the bed. Definitely easier than modern pickups and their high belt-lines.
To further the practicality, you can see this whole stage setup packs nicely into the bed with a hard cover that comes down like a clamshell. This is totally a custom setup that Daihatsu whipped up, but it proves that mini trucks can be adapted to do just about anything!
The interior is the icing on the cake! Who needs cup holders when you’ve got the golden mics!? Combine these with the microphone shifter you you’ve got a karaoke master’s dream whip. Excuse us for a moment while we track down the karaoke version of “Don’t Stop Believing”.
This is definitely the most adventurous rig that Daihatsu had to offer this year, and we love it! It sort of looks like a miniature version of a Dakar Rally Truck from its Toyota cousin, Hino. It’s not just looks either, this little Hijet has all you need for a day of mountain climbing. You could even get some practice in right on the side of it!
This concept is also built on a Hijet Jumbo, with the extended cab from the factory. They’ve added a roof basket with a lightbar for some late night climbing sessions. This and the side-mounted tool box seem to be the only off-the-shelf modifications on the truck, everything else is quite custom.
The bed is the real star of this rig. It features a full metal frame to hang all of your cargo, as well as the enclosed walls and hatch to lock everything up tightly. For some true overlanding action, there’s even a mattress in the back so you can do overnight mountain treks.
The mostly stock interior shows how far mini trucks have come in 2020, with modern amenities like automatic transmissions, climate control, navigation, and more. It wasn’t so long ago that mini trucks were very bare-bones vehicles. It’s nice that you can get some creature comforts in them if you want to.
The Honda Vamos was one of the predecessors to the modern Honda Acty mini truck, based on the Honda TN360 truck that started the lineage. This one has been restored into a nautical themed beach cruiser by FAF, and it looks sweet.
The woodwork is really where this truck shines. These finely finished boards can be found on the floorboard and across the bed behind it. The additional trim on the dash and steering wheel all looks exquisite.
Whitewall tires with tri-spokes sticking out to give it a bit of a SLAB vibe. The bars on the back complete the whole boat/beach vibe nicely. We’d love to cruise down through Okinawa in one of these any day!
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The all new Suzuki Jimni is arguably the hottest kei car out there right now, but don’t forget that Suzuki makes some other awesome off-roaders. This humble Suzuki Every van has been given the Jimny treatment, and we dig the look of it! It’s also sporting a lift kit and a roof-mounted tent to cover all of your camping needs. Even though you can’t get the new Jimny in the states, you could totally get an Every and fool your friends with this kit!
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This is a great example of what mini trucks are really capable of. This Deck Van features an aggressive lift kit, some beefy tires, and a solid front axle swap. We’ve got no doubts about the capabilities of this truck, it could go just about anywhere.
Just looks that that suspension, isn’t it lovely?
What makes this truck even better is that it’s a Deck Van! Deck vans are built off of the Hijet Cargo mini van platform, but have an open cargo area behind the rear seats. You get the benefits of a full 5 seater front cabin and the van’s sliding door to go with your bed and tailgate. We’d call it the best of both worlds, wouldn’t you agree?
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Car show builds are meant to show us the absolute limits of capability and creativity. This Suzuki Carry is getting pretty close to that threshold. This build features a full frame exoskeleton and completely reworked suspension. We were a bit sad to see this hidden behind some new G-Wagens in their display, this should be front and center!
The rear-mounted spare tires are a great touch, giving it that trophy-truck vibe. We’d love to see what this thing is capable of out on the trails.
There’s a trend among Japanese aftermarket companies to make every off-roader look retro, and we love it! The 70’s vibe is strong with these side graphics and round headlights. Bonus points for the smiley face fog lamps, those are always a win!
This Every isn’t all show either, featuring a roof-mounted tent, beefed up suspension bits, and just about everything you’d need to do a major overlanding trip in your micro van.
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There were so many nice Hijet’s on display this year and Tarbow’s “Bug Truck” was definitely up there on the top of the list. This truck features a custom front fascia with a really retro looking grill, and a nice overall old-school package.
The back of this Hijet is remarkable as well. From top to bottom it’s been redone in nice wood paneling, with shelves and racks for storage or sleeping. There’s even a curtain to separate the cab from the back for extra privacy when camping overnight. This is an extremely custom job and the craftsmanship is excellent.
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How about a blinged out Suzuki “S” to go along with your 13” rims? These luxurious Suzuki badges will make your Carry shine among the pack. Though we think the Hustler is a bit more fitting of a name to receive the bling treatment. Might just get one of those to hang from our neck, what do you think?
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This was a showing of some of Japan’s top parts manufacturers and custom shops. Most of the parts you see are only available on the Japanese market, and it can be hard for non-Japanese speakers to get a hold of them. Contact us if you’re looking for any mini truck parts, factory or aftermarket, and we’ll get them to you.
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