…almost. What would your most casual guess posit as the most likely basis on this trucklet? A Subaru Sambar? A Suzuki Carry? If you guessed either of those, you’d be wrong. It’s an Asia Towner underneath all those tarps and panelling. The company, founded in 1965 as a low-cost manufacturer of cars built for export under license, and acquired by Kia in 1976, built them beginning 1992. The vehicle is therefore not a clone of a Mazda, nor of a Suzuki (Mazda’s usual kei-class partner), but of the 1987 Daihatsi HiJet. These Kei-class vans, which could be equipped with a supercharger to beef up to standard 550cc three-cylinder, were initially assembled in Korea with a 659cc engine, but found their way to Italy under the Innocenti and Piaggio nameplates, where they were built with 1.2 liter four cylinders and diesels. The Towner was rebadged as a Kia following Hyundai’s takeover, and the car lived on until 2002, when it was discontinued. While Asia Motors may have been the ultimate in nondescript brand names, in the case of this ex-kei pick-up, it was perfectly apt. The picture of this example was taken by jmg3rd in Phnom Penh–markets like these kept HQ in Korea happy while Kia’s US presence was absent or minimally profitable.
What I’d like to know is, what are they trying to accomplish by covering it up like that? “Um no, this is not a delivery truck. It is our store….”
Perhaps to prevent dogs from ruining the tires and birds ruining the windshield and roof?!? 😉
I’m surprised to read of the Innocenti and Piaggio “connection”. Just as the Japanese….and pretty much ALL Asian car companies dislike any foreign connections (their governments STRONGLY prefer in-country tie-ups) I assumed, wrongly, that Italian car companies would look to European tie-ups whenever possible.
I think the wheel and rooftop coverings are there to impart a semblance of permanence….even when that permanence is temporary.
The Piaggio Porter, here’s their current dump truck. Available with a gasoline or diesel engine or as a full-electric version.
As far as I know only the Italians build very small (tiny) vans, trucks and farm tractors in Europe. I guess that a tie-up with other European companies wasn’t possible in this class of miniature machinery.
I spent quite a few of my younger years in the Navy floating around Asia. Frankly those trucks are everywhere and all look the same to me. Good article with things I didn’t know and I too am surprised with the Italian connection.
I guess if it were here it would be relegated to a golf course or other private property environment. I could be pretty happy with a micro truck as my #2.