If they are on sale, they will be very popular!

Let us introduce you to the HIJET trucks with extendable cargo beds that were on display at the Daihatsu booth at the 2023 Osaka Auto Messe. Named “HIJET TRUCK JUMBO EXTEND”, the main feature of this vehicle is its extended cargo space. It is a set of two vehicles with the “COPEN CLUBSPORTS” exhibited next to it and is a proposal to use the HIJET Jumbo as a support vehicle for track driving.

The rear-view camera works well

The cargo area of the HIJET Jumbo can be manually pulled out, providing more than 2 meters of space for changing into a race suit or resting.

The cargo area has side hatches that open to let light into the cabin. When you need to concentrate before a race, you can close the hatch for a private space.

The shell is made of lightweight FRP and is easy to pull out. The rear hatch door has no window, but a rear-view camera is installed to ensure good rear visibility.

Inside, two crimson full bucket seats have been installed. The gearshift extension is intended to create a racy interior like that of the COPEN.

The instrument panel features a stopwatch-style clock

As for the Copen, its design is followed by the Copen Spyder, which was unveiled in 2021. The wheels are the same RAYS TE37 used on the Copen Spyder.

The exterior color is inspired by a fighter jet. And a red racing stripe, Daihatsu’s corporate color, runs in the middle. In the interior, a red line also runs from the center console to the dashboard.

Also in the center of the instrument panel is a gauge reminiscent of Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package. This is a clock that looks like a stopwatch. For daily driving, a navigation system can also be installed in this area. On the racing track, it can be replaced with additional gauges.

“We want many people to enjoy Kei trucks and vans, not just for commercial use”

Toshio Shibagaki, Manager of Daihatsu’s Design Department, spoke about the concept behind the project: “We want to explore the possibilities of Kei trucks and vans so that many people can enjoy them, not just for commercial use.

The project has been well received by the company, and if the feedback from users is positive, it may be marketed as a special edition of the truck. It could also be used as a base vehicle for mobile vending and overnight stays.