The Daihatsu Delta, also called the Daihatsu Delta Truck, was a nameplate used between 1970 and 2010 on a variety of Japanese trucks and vans. Most of them were Toyota-based, or based on models from Toyota-owned Hino Motors. The name was retired in Japan in 2003, but local production elsewhere continued until 2010.
Daihatsu Delta at a glance
| Maker | Daihatsu, Japan |
|---|---|
| Nameplate used | 1970–2003 in Japan, to 2010 elsewhere |
| Basis | Toyota and Hino models |
| Engines | mostly Toyota, some Daihatsu diesels |
| Layout | cab over engine or mid-engine |
| Medium-duty | Delta and Delta 1500/2000, rebadged Toyota Dyna |
| Light-duty | Delta 750, rebadged Toyota LiteAce |
| Van | Delta Wide Van and Wagon, rebadged Toyota TownAce |
| Generations (medium) | five, new models in 1977, 1984, 1995 and 1999 |
Based on one source.
History of the Daihatsu Delta
Medium-duty trucks
Between October 1970 and 2003, and until 2010 outside Japan, Daihatsu sold the Delta and Delta 1500/2000 as a rebadged Toyota Dyna, replacing the older Daihatsu V series of cab-over medium trucks. Five generations were built, with new models released in 1977, 1984, 1995 and 1999. The third generation finished production for Japan in 1995 but carried on until 2006 in many export markets, including South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Light trucks
Below the medium-duty range sat the light-duty Delta 750, released in March 1971 as the D10 series and based on the Toyota LiteAce truck. A second generation, the D20, arrived in October 1979 and stayed in production until October 1982. These were small cab-over vehicles intended for local delivery work.
Vans and wagons
In November 1976 Daihatsu added a cargo van and a passenger wagon called the Delta Wide Van and Wagon, the B10 series, a rebadged Toyota TownAce. The second generation, the B20, was released in November 1982 and re-bodied in January 1992 while keeping its existing mechanicals. Third-generation models, the R40 and R50 series, arrived in October 1996 and were now badged simply Delta Van and Wagon; they continued until November 2001.
An end of the badge
The Delta was never a Daihatsu design of its own. Toyota engines were typical, and only a few versions, particularly the diesels, used Daihatsu’s own engines. The badge was retired in Japan in 2003, though cars built locally in other markets carried it until 2010.
Design and features
- Badge engineering: Toyota Dyna, LiteAce and TownAce models sold as Daihatsus.
- Cab-over layout: a short nose for maximum load length.
- Wide range: from small delivery trucks to medium-duty lorries and vans.
- Long export life: older generations built abroad long after Japanese production ended.
Daihatsu Delta versions
- Delta 1500/2000: medium-duty trucks based on the Toyota Dyna.
- Delta 750 (1971): the light-duty D10 truck.
- Delta Wide Van and Wagon (1976): the B10 series based on the Toyota TownAce.
- Delta Van and Wagon (1996): the R40 and R50 third generation.
The Delta was the commercial side of the Daihatsu collection, while the Taft covered light off-road use and the Charade the passenger range.
Sources
- Daihatsu Delta, English Wikipedia: models, dates, Toyota and Hino basis
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