Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., founded in 1907 by Shōjirō Ishibashi, pioneered kei cars with the 1955 Daihatsu Midget three-wheeler. The brand excelled in lightweight construction, producing models like the Mira and Tanto hatchbacks, which offer efficient use of interior space within kei dimensions. Daihatsu entered joint ventures with Toyota in 2016, rebadging models like the Passo and Rocky under Toyota brands. In 2023, Daihatsu sold over 700,000 vehicles, primarily in Japan and Southeast Asia, focusing on compact urban mobility and fuel efficiency.