The Daihatsu Gran Max (Japanese: ダイハツ・グランマックス, Hepburn: Daihatsu Guranmakkusu) is a series of light commercial vehicles (vans and pickup trucks) produced and sold by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu since late 2007.[3] It is also rebadged and marketed by Toyota as the Toyota LiteAce and Toyota TownAce since 2008, and by Mazda in Japan as the Mazda Bongo since 2020.

Daihatsu Gran Max
2015 Daihatsu Gran Max 1.3 D van (S401RV; pre-facelift, Indonesia)
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Model codeS400
Also called
ProductionOctober 2007 – present
Assembly
DesignerToshiaki Okamoto and Kenyuu Uehata[2]
Body and chassis
ClassLight commercial vehicle
Body style
Layout
RelatedDaihatsu Luxio
Powertrain
Engine
Power output
  • 65 kW (87 hp; 88 PS) (K3-DE)
  • 71 kW (95 hp; 97 PS) (3SZ-VE/2NR-VE)
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Length
  • 4,045–4,065 mm (159.3–160.0 in) (Cargo/Van)
  • 4,195–4,295 mm (165.2–169.1 in) (Truck/Pickup)
Width
  • 1,665 mm (65.6 in) (Cargo/Van)
  • 1,665–1,675 mm (65.6–65.9 in) (Truck/Pickup)
Height
  • 1,900–1,930 mm (74.8–76.0 in) (Cargo/Van)
  • 1,850–2,070 mm (72.8–81.5 in) (Truck/Pickup)
Kerb weight
  • 1,270–1,350 kg (2,800–2,976 lb) (Cargo/Van)
  • 1,160–1,230 kg (2,557–2,712 lb) (Truck/Pickup)
Chronology
Predecessor

Overview

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Developed by Daihatsu under the lead of chief engineer Masaharu Tezeni,[4][5] the Gran Max was released in November 2007 as the replacement of the Indonesian market Zebra of similar size. It also replaced the Perodua Rusa in Malaysia.[6] It is similar to the tenth-generation Hijet Cargo by its "semi-cab" configuration (front wheels located forward of the door) for both the van and pickup models. Produced in Indonesia by Astra Daihatsu Motor, it is powered by 1,298 cc (K3-DE EFI), 1,495 cc (3SZ-VE VVT-i) and 1,496 cc (2NR-VE Dual VVT-i, since 2020) petrol engines and is both wider and longer than the kei car-sized Hijet.

Markets

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Indonesia

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The Gran Max was launched in Indonesia on 6 November 2007 as the successor to the aging Zebra Espass pickup and commercial van.[7] It was initially available with 1.3-litre K3-DE and 1.5-litre 3SZ-VE petrol engines. Both engines were only paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

In August 2022, the 3SZ-VE engine option was replaced by the newer 2NR-VE unit. Other improvements include an updated four-spoke steering wheel, additional cup holder, electric power steering, larger 14-inch alloy wheels, and a higher ground clearance by 15 mm (0.6 in).[8] No other changes were made to the exterior.

Japan

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Since February 2008, the Gran Max has been exported to Japan where it was firstly sold as the Toyota LiteAce/TownAce, which is positioned below the HiAce. With the facelifted model released in 2020, the LiteAce-badged model was discontinued due to integration of Japanese Toyota dealers. At the same time, Daihatsu started selling the vehicle in Japan as the Gran Max, slotting it above the Hijet kei vehicles. It is the first captive import product in the Japanese Daihatsu lineup.[9][10] It is also exported to Japan under Mazda brand as the Bongo, which replaced the previous Mazda-built models. These models are offered with optional collision avoidance system marketed as Smart Assist.

Taiwan

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The Town Ace pickup was launched for pre-sale in Taiwan in November 2021, and has been assembled locally by Kuozui Motors in Guanyin. Deliveries started in February 2022. The top grade is available with collision avoidance system marketed as Toyota Safety Sense.[11][12] In October 2022, the company started to take pre-orders for the van model.[12][13]

Philippines

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In the Philippines, the Lite Ace was launched on 15 July 2022 with the 1.5-litre 2NR-VE engine and a 5-speed manual transmission only. It is available in Pickup, Panel Van, FX Utility Van and Cargo Aluminum Van models (the latter two were added in August 2022).[14][15]

The Lite Ace van was released in GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE in July 2022 with the 1.5-litre 2NR-VE engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission.[5][16]

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Gran Max
LiteAce/TownAce
Bongo

References

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  1. ^ "マツダ、新型「ボンゴバン」「ボンゴトラック」を発表". マツダ ニュースリリース.
  2. ^ "A00200801254". DGIP.go.id. Pangkalan Data Kekayaan Intelektual. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Daihatsu Launches Light Commercial Vehicle". DAIHATSU Global Website. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  4. ^ Seng, Lee Pang (3 October 2018). "Daihatsu GranMax goes automatic". CarSifu. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Toyota LITE ACE Launches in Saudi Arabia". www.zawya.com. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  6. ^ "2008 Daihatsu Gran Max minibus and pickup". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. ^ Anton Suhartono (7 November 2007). "Daihatsu Luncurkan Kendaraan Niaga Gran Max" (in Indonesian). Okezone.
  8. ^ Ridwan Arifin (30 August 2022). "Daihatsu Gran Max Kini Pakai Mesin Avanza-Xenia, Dijual Mulai Rp 156,5 Juta" (in Indonesian). Detik.
  9. ^ "ダイハツ、新型小型商用車『グランマックス』を日本市場へ投入 初の海外生産車".
  10. ^ "Daihatsu Motor to sell foreign-made vehicles in Japan for 1st time - The Mainichi". Archived from the original on 25 June 2020.
  11. ^ 自由時報電子報 (24 November 2021). "挑戰輕型商用神車 Veryca 的霸主寶座!Toyota Town Ace 預售價公佈 - 自由電子報汽車頻道" [Challenge the supremacy of the light commercial vehicle Veryca! Toyota Town Ace pre-sale price announced]. 自由時報電子報. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b Chen, Qingfeng (26 October 2022). "54.5萬起至62.5萬、4車型設定,Toyota Town Ace Van國內正式展開預售" [The Toyota Town Ace van has been officially launched for domestic pre-sale. From NT$545,000 to NT$625,000, 4 versions]. U-car (in Chinese). Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  13. ^ Chen, Qingfeng (10 October 2022). "10月26日國內有望展開預售,Toyota國產Town Ace Van預告登場" [Pre-orders for announced Toyota's domestic Town Ace van are set to start on 26 October]. U-car (in Chinese). Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  14. ^ "The Toyota Lite Ace Returns To Empower Businesses (w/ Specs)". CarGuide.PH. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Toyota Motor PH Adds FX, Cargo Variants To All-New Lite Ace Line-Up (w/ Specs)". CarGuide.PH. 2 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Launch of Toyota LITE ACE will Redefine Compact Commercial Vehicle Segment". Motory Saudi Arabia. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
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