Daihatsu launches new Mira Cocoa minicar, targeting female drivers

TOKYO 18th August 2009; Japan Today reported that Daihatsu Motor Co rolled out on Monday a new mini passenger vehicle, the Mira Cocoa, aiming to attract mainly female drivers with its cute design amid growing popularity for fuel-efficient small cars. Daihatsu, a unit of Toyota Motor Corp and known for the Move and Tanto minivehicles, will sell the new car at prices from 1 million to 1.36 million yen, with the domestic sales target set at 3,000 units per month.

The car, equipped with a 660 cc engine, is eligible for the recent government tax breaks and subsidies for fuel-efficient cars, making it another attractive option for consumers as domestic car sales begin to show signs of picking up on the back of the stimulus measures. The Mira Cocoa, which comes in nine color variations, also features a new rearview mirror with a back view monitor that can aid drivers in parking their cars.