Daihatsu

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi has beaten out Volkswagen Group and Toyota Motor Company for the 2018 passenger car sales crown, with a total of 10.76 million sales worldwide. According to figures released by the various brands, the combination of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors accounted for 10.76 million passenger and light-commercial vehicles around the world, ahead of 10.6 million (up 0.9 per cent) for the Volkswagen Group and 10.39 million (up 1.0 per cent) for Toyota and Lexus.

Toyota is reportedly mulling over plans to purchase the remainder of Daihatsu, and is also said to be thinking of a tie-up with Suzuki. The Nikkei is reporting that Toyota is actively considering purchasing the 48.8 percent of Daihatsu that it doesn't currently own during the first half of this year.

Daihatsu has debuted eight concept cars at the Indonesia motor show in a typically bold move for the quirky Japanese car maker. The models all form part of Daihatsu's plan to become a market leader in compact cars that are fuel efficient and affordable.

Toyota's mini car brand in Japan, Daihatsu, has just released the Daihatsu Move. In developing the new model the company has also come up with the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered, non-hybrid car on the Japanese market.