Daihatsu Hijet Cargo Hybrid is a mini commercial gas-electric hybrid powered vehicle in Japan using a 660cc engine.
The hybrid version of the car is based on the existing Hijet Cargo (non-hybrid version).
This car made its debut in 2002 as a concept car.
Its production plan was announced in October 2004.
It will be available in the summer of 2005.
Daihatsu called it a mild hybrid design.
Its design (called Daihatsu Mild Hybrid System or DMHS based on Toyota hybrid technology) is quite different from many existing hybrid design where as the gas and electric powered components are built into the same engine block.
The electric motor sits between the gasoline powered engine and the transmission unit.
The car is 30% more fuel efficient than its gas-powered counterpart.
External links
