Daihatsu has big plans for its small cars. As it launches the new Sirion to the European market, the Japanese firm is working towards rapidly expanding it export sales.
Toyota's 1998 takeover put the Japanese giant in every market segment: Lexus on top, Toyota at middle and Daihatsu in the small supermini end.
Toyota is also keen to bring the brand into big developing markets. Small, cheap and reliable cars are sure to be a big hit in India and China.
Of 780,000 annual Daihatsu sales, 550,000 are sold in the home market - understandable given the marque's expertise at the micro K-cars so popular in Tokyo's confined traffic.
With Europe still the biggest market for small cars, it was only a matter of time before the Daihatsu focus fell here.
Plans are to increase overall global sales to 1 million by 2008, and raise Europe's share of Daihatsu sales from its current 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
So to the Sirion - the platform was developed in conjunction with Toyota. Inside it's quite spacious, and particularly in the back. There's plenty of room for two adults on the bench-like seat, with ample headroom.
Up front the controls and display seem to take their cue from the likes of Smart. A nice touch is the mounting of the speedo-meter on the steering column.
We found the 3-cylinder 1-litre engine capable, if a little unpolished. It will be the engine of choice for most buyers here, though a 1.3-litre is also on offer.
The Sirion has a tough battle on is hands in a very competitive segment. There are more refined engines around. However, it does have the spacious cabin in its favour.
In the end, though, this car's success will be determined by price. The Sirion arrives in January with prices likely to be in the region of €14,000. Next up will be a new Terios in 2006, but expect to hear far more from the diminutive Japanese brand in the next few years.