Daihatsu will launch a new hybrid-powered compact SUV - most likely a new variant of the Daihatsu Rocky – in Japan later this year, reports Japan’s Nikkei.

Sales of the Daihatsu Rocky, which is also sold as the Toyota Raize in Japan (manufactured by Daihatsu under contract), is hampered by the lack of a hybrid variant, which is crucial in Japan and is offered by Daihatsu’s friendly family rival’s Toyota Yaris Cross.

Although sales data show that the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize sells better, the Yaris Cross has a 6-month waiting list in Japan. Toyota doesn’t separate Yaris Cross sales from Yaris, but it is understood that Yaris Cross constitutes nearly half of Yaris sales in Japan. In other words, actual demand for the Yaris Cross is stronger than the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize.

Daihatsu’s hybrid technology will be based on parent company Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, but Nikkei says the version used by Daihatsu has been made simpler to keep cost low.

The hybrid Rocky will cost several thousand USD more than the regular 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged variant, but will offer 20 to 30 percent better fuel economy.

Presently, Daihatsu already offers several hybrid models in Japan, but these are all rebadged Toyota models. The hybrid Rocky will be Daihatsu’s first hybrid in many years.

In 2010, it once sold hybrid Daihatsu Hijet commercial van but sales was poor and it was discontinued soon after.

Closer to Malaysia, the Daihatsu Rocky will soon be introduced here by Perodua. The yet-to-be-named is currently referred to by its internal codename Perodua D55L.

The Perodua D55L was originally slated to be launched in Malaysia within the first quarter of 2021, with sales training planned for 8-February, but the still-fluid Covid-19 situation could delay it further.