Toyota takes full control of Daihatsu

Toyota President Akio Toyoda (L) and Daihatsu President Masanori Mitsui presented a joint news conference, announcing that Toyota plans to take full control of Daihatsu. Picture: Yuya Shino / Reuters.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda (L) and Daihatsu President Masanori Mitsui presented a joint news conference, announcing that Toyota plans to take full control of Daihatsu. Picture: Yuya Shino / Reuters.

Published Jan 29, 2016

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Tokyo - Toyota has announced that it plans to take full ownership of Daihatsu, with an aim to expand their presence in emerging markets.

The deal will give Toyota definitive control over a company that battles with rival Suzuki in Japan's domestic mini-car segment, and also strengthen its footing in Southeast Asia.

Toyota will take complete control of Daihatsu by a share exchange expected to be completed in August, the carmakers said in a joint statement.

Their aim is “to develop ever-better cars by adopting a unified strategy for the small car segment”, the statement said.

The companies also want to share resources to finance costs for developing next-generation technologies, they said.

The announcement came two days after reports that Toyota and Daihatsu's domestic rival Suzuki are in talks over a partnership focused on making compact cars for emerging markets, sending shares in both companies soaring.

Toyota's plan to make Daihatsu a wholly-owned company is linked to the tie-up talks, the leading Nikkei business daily and other media reported.

Toyota first established a business alliance with Daihatsu in 1967 and made it a subsidiary by taking a majority stake in 1998.

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