Future kei cars: Daihatsu x HAL College concepts unveiled
Daihatsu and HAL College imagine the next decade of kei car concepts
Future kei cars: Daihatsu x HAL College concepts unveiled
Explore three award-winning Daihatsu x HAL College kei car concepts—E-Nova, :Do, and Promenade—reimagining utility, modular living, and open-road leisure.
2025-11-27T11:50:15+03:00
2025-11-27T11:50:15+03:00
2025-11-27T11:50:15+03:00
In Japan, Daihatsu teamed up with HAL College to stage a competition for young designers, asking them to imagine what kei cars might look like ten years from now. The brief was deliberately broad: vehicles that could revitalize regional life. The result is refreshingly diverse, with three winners that differ sharply in style and purpose.The first, E-Nova, reinterprets the legendary Daihatsu Midget for today. A removable rear module transforms into a communication hub for artisans or small rural businesses. The emphasis on practicality makes it a logical continuation of the kei tradition.The second concept, :Do, blends the roles of a car and a compact pickup. Its platform allows multiple configurations, from work duties to touring. Purpose-built relaxation zones at the front and rear turn the mini-car into a micro home on wheels.The most unconventional is Promenade, a lightweight open roadster focused less on performance than on contemplation. It offers an all-round view and is intended for trips along scenic country roads rather than for racing.While none of the projects is meant for series production, competitions like this help manufacturers search for fresh ideas and give students a route into the profession.
daihatsu, hal college, kei cars, concept cars, e-nova, :do concept, promenade roadster, modular platform, micro home on wheels, design competition, japan, future mobility, rural artisans
2025
Michael Powers
news
Daihatsu and HAL College imagine the next decade of kei car concepts
Explore three award-winning Daihatsu x HAL College kei car concepts—E-Nova, :Do, and Promenade—reimagining utility, modular living, and open-road leisure.
Michael Powers, Editor
In Japan, Daihatsu teamed up with HAL College to stage a competition for young designers, asking them to imagine what kei cars might look like ten years from now. The brief was deliberately broad: vehicles that could revitalize regional life. The result is refreshingly diverse, with three winners that differ sharply in style and purpose.
The first, E-Nova, reinterprets the legendary Daihatsu Midget for today. A removable rear module transforms into a communication hub for artisans or small rural businesses. The emphasis on practicality makes it a logical continuation of the kei tradition.
The second concept, :Do, blends the roles of a car and a compact pickup. Its platform allows multiple configurations, from work duties to touring. Purpose-built relaxation zones at the front and rear turn the mini-car into a micro home on wheels.
The most unconventional is Promenade, a lightweight open roadster focused less on performance than on contemplation. It offers an all-round view and is intended for trips along scenic country roads rather than for racing.
While none of the projects is meant for series production, competitions like this help manufacturers search for fresh ideas and give students a route into the profession.
