Whether in its original version from the 1950s (it was in production from 1957-1972, with an update in 1959, followed by several others – and it is still manufactured in Thailand, specifically to operate as a “tuktuk”), or in its generation from 1996-2001, now with four wheels and fully enclosed, the Daihatsu Midget may have never been marketed in Portugal, but it is part of the global imagination due to the numerous film and television productions it has been a part of, even becoming one of the popular cars available to play in the video game Gran Turismo for PlayStation. Now, it is quite possible that it is making a comeback, with an electric motor, as would be almost inevitable, and under the designation Midget X, whose prototype will be presented at the Tokyo Mobility Show, taking place from October 30 to November 9.
The hypothesis gains renewed strength after the release of a video that tells the story of the manufacturer founded in 1951 (succeeding Hatsudoki Seizo Co. Ltd, established in 1907), which has been 100% owned by Toyota since 2016 (after several increases in its stake in the company, from the initial 16.8% in 1967). It begins with the first Midget, then recalls other iconic creations from a brand historically linked to the manufacture of compact cars, so popular in its homeland, such as the Mira, the Charade, or the Copen. What immediately stands out is that the Midget X has four wheels, whereas the original was, in truth, a small three-wheeled pick-up for transporting goods; it takes the form of a city car with modern lines, while respecting the originals; and, inside, it offers three seats, with the driver positioned centrally, and two passengers seated behind – with the closed cargo compartment mounted over the rear axle, which can be replaced by another type of solution more suited to the needs of its owner.
