JAPS

[coomsey]

After reading SDU s comments about the Bedford 'Isuzu' it set me wondering about how good or bad were Japanese/Asian lorries ? I've never met anyone whose drove one, usually Hino, but there has been the odd comments over the years on here,all seem to be bad. I'm guessing our Antipodean friends will have more experience than us lot but any info would be good Cheers coomsey

[Zac_A]

I once worked at a place where they had a small Isuzu - it was just a constant stream of problems and spent more time with the fitters than it did with the drivers.

[Kempston]

Argos went over to them a few years ago for their home delivery work, the drivers hated them and iirc so did the Transport office.

[Star down under.]

We started getting Japanese cars and light commercials in the early to mid-sixties. They were very ordinary, a bit unusual and generally unsuited to our different conditions.
As a car mad school boy, I enjoyed the hilariously interpreted owner's manuals. The first influx of Jap vehicles were bought on price, but the Japanese were in for the long game. Unlike vehicle manufacturers from the rest of the world, Australia included, they lacked the arrogance of the take what you are offered, attitude.
Toyota was a classic example. During the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme (1949~1974) light 4x4 were in high demand. Initially only ex-WW ll Jeeps and the recently released Land Rover were available. As the Jeeps wore out, the Land Rovers became the only viable option, due to the favourable import duties from Commonwealth countries. Worldwide, Land Rovers were in greater demand than the factory could output, this created an arrogance that stifled development and fostered an attitude of take what we send.
(Later Sir) Leslie Thiess was a civil contractor on the SMS and frustrated at not being able to secure Land Rovers, looked elsewhere. He privately imported a handful of FJ 25 Land Cruisers. These were far from ideal, but they were available and better than nothing. Toyota sent senior management from Japan to monitor the performance of the cars and reacted quickly to the constructive criticism of the product. Thiess was so impressed with the cooperation, service and price offered by Toyota, that he started a subsidiary company to be the sole importer and distributor of the entire Toyota range.
The rest of the Japanese automotive industry followed suit during the 60s. From the initial offerings of cheap, unsuitable vehicles they quickly developed cars that Australians wanted and marketed them aggressively. E.G. my father bought a 1967 Toyota Custom Crown wagon, a family size station wagon, as standard it had a heater/demister, exterior mirrors, carpets, electric tailgate window, self seeking radio with automatic electric aerial, tinted glass and automatic transmission, all extras, if available on the market leading big three, Holden, Ford and Chrysler.
Trucks followed a few short years later in a remarkably similar manner. When the TK Bedford was superseded, we never got the TM, it was replaced with the TR Isuzu, a crude but robust four tonner (nominal carrying capacity). This was soon replaced by the SBR/JBR four and eight tonners. These were a quantum leap forward in luxury and comfort from any othe offering from International, Dodge or Ford (pretty much the last of the UK manufacturers with the D Series Cargo). Initially all Isuzu products were badged by Bedford, to maintain the link with the respected name.
Eventually only International stood toe to toe with the Japanese invaders. Nissan, UD, Hino (Toyota), Diahatsu and Mazda had joined the frey. International were still numbe one, but only because they offered a robust, Australian designed product in every weight segment. Once Iveco got hold of Inter, they slashed the range and lost the number one position. International is now a mere shadow of its former self, offering only a single model, vocational truck, popular as a tipper, concrete or garbage truck, the only options being 2, 3, 4, or five axles
Without a doubt the Japs dominate the the local, up to 15 tonne GVM sector and have a significant presence in the three axle market.
In the heavy duty and interstate section Western Star and Kenworth are dominant, but Volvo, Scania, Daf and MAN are popular amongst the budget conscious bitumen burners.
Japanese prime movers are relatively rare and the exclusive domain of tight arse farmers and local loading and unloading of linehaul trailers.
To be fair on the old SPR that I previously denigrated, it was expected to fulfill a role for which it was not designed.

[Franglais]

Motorcycles, cars, 4x4s? Shed loads of good uns.
.....??.......
Earth movers, cranes? Again Komatsu, Hitachi, Toyota, Kubota.

But why the gap?

[DEANB]

We started getting Japanese cars and light commercials in the early to mid-sixties. They were very ordinary, a bit unusual and generally unsuited to our different conditions.
As a car mad school boy, I enjoyed the hilariously interpreted owner's manuals. The first influx of Jap vehicles were bought on price, but the Japanese were in for the long game. Unlike vehicle manufacturers from the rest of the world, Australia included, they lacked the arrogance of the take what you are offered, attitude.
Toyota was a classic example. During the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme (1949~1974) light 4x4 were in high demand. Initially only ex-WW ll Jeeps and the recently released Land Rover were available. As the Jeeps wore out, the Land Rovers became the only viable option, due to the favourable import duties from Commonwealth countries. Worldwide, Land Rovers were in greater demand than the factory could output, this created an arrogance that stifled development and fostered an attitude of take what we send.
(Later Sir) Leslie Thiess was a civil contractor on the SMS and frustrated at not being able to secure Land Rovers, looked elsewhere. He privately imported a handful of FJ 25 Land Cruisers. These were far from ideal, but they were available and better than nothing. Toyota sent senior management from Japan to monitor the performance of the cars and reacted quickly to the constructive criticism of the product. Thiess was so impressed with the cooperation, service and price offered by Toyota, that he started a subsidiary company to be the sole importer and distributor of the entire Toyota range.
The rest of the Japanese automotive industry followed suit during the 60s. From the initial offerings of cheap, unsuitable vehicles they quickly developed cars that Australians wanted and marketed them aggressively. E.G. my father bought a 1967 Toyota Custom Crown wagon, a family size station wagon, as standard it had a heater/demister, exterior mirrors, carpets, electric tailgate window, self seeking radio with automatic electric aerial, tinted glass and automatic transmission, all extras, if available on the market leading big three, Holden, Ford and Chrysler.
Trucks followed a few short years later in a remarkably similar manner. When the TK Bedford was superseded, we never got the TM, it was replaced with the TR Isuzu, a crude but robust four tonner (nominal carrying capacity). This was soon replaced by the SBR/JBR four and eight tonners. These were a quantum leap forward in luxury and comfort from any othe offering from International, Dodge or Ford (pretty much the last of the UK manufacturers with the D Series Cargo). Initially all Isuzu products were badged by Bedford, to maintain the link with the respected name.
Eventually only International stood toe to toe with the Japanese invaders. Nissan, UD, Hino (Toyota), Diahatsu and Mazda had joined the frey. International were still numbe one, but only because they offered a robust, Australian designed product in every weight segment. Once Iveco got hold of Inter, they slashed the range and lost the number one position. International is now a mere shadow of its former self, offering only a single model, vocational truck, popular as a tipper, concrete or garbage truck, the only options being 2, 3, 4, or five axles
Without a doubt the Japs dominate the the local, up to 15 tonne GVM sector and have a significant presence in the three axle market.
In the heavy duty and interstate section Western Star and Kenworth are dominant, but Volvo, Scania, Daf and MAN are popular amongst the budget conscious bitumen burners.
Japanese prime movers are relatively rare and the exclusive domain of tight arse farmers and local loading and unloading of linehaul trailers.
To be fair on the old SPR that I previously denigrated, it was expected to fulfill a role for which it was not designed.

Thats an intresting post "Star down under"

I knew 2 mechanics that both reckoned Landrovers were unreliable motors. One of these used to do lots of off roading and was in
a club and even used to build his own off roaders from the ground up. He had loads of Landrovers and Range Rovers and ended up
buying a Toyota Landcruiser which he said was a different league with regard to reliability.

The other mechanic told me "you had to carry a tool box" as they always break down. Both were really good mechanics. (not fitters)
It just goes to show what you are saying about Toyota.

Was having a tyre fitted the other week and a fella pulled in with a 4 year old Landrover Discovery which he was telling me had cost
him thousands in repairs. His boss had just bought a brand new Range Rover that cost approx £100,000 and apparently it had been
back in the garage more than he had used it on the road !

Was talking to a taxi driver in Singapore and he told me there were 28,000 taxis in 2012 and they were nearly all Toyota Corollas
apart from some Mercedes.

[DEANB]

Hino trucks 1976.

Click on pages twice to read.

[windrush]

Hino trucks were excellent for muckshifting work, I think that spares backup wasn't brilliant though? I believe they liked a drink as well! Longcliffe Quarries have at least one though, as does an OD working from there who previously ran Fodens.

There used to be a saying an Australian friend told me "If you want to go into the desert then buy a Landrover, if you want to come back out again then you had better buy a Toyota".

Pete.

[dave docwra]

Hino trucks were excellent for muckshifting work, I think that spares backup wasn't brilliant though? I believe they liked a drink as well! Longcliffe Quarries have at least one though, as does an OD working from there who previously ran Fodens.

There used to be a saying an Australian friend told me "If you want to go into the desert then buy a Landrover, if you want to come back out again then you had better buy a Toyota".

Pete.

Also in the Toyota manual it shows you where on the back to attach the Land Rover to recover it.

[tonyj105]

We started getting Japanese cars and light commercials in the early to mid-sixties. They were very ordinary, a bit unusual and generally unsuited to our different conditions.
As a car mad school boy, I enjoyed the hilariously interpreted owner's manuals. The first influx of Jap vehicles were bought on price, but the Japanese were in for the long game. Unlike vehicle manufacturers from the rest of the world, Australia included, they lacked the arrogance of the take what you are offered, attitude.
Toyota was a classic example. During the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme (1949~1974) light 4x4 were in high demand. Initially only ex-WW ll Jeeps and the recently released Land Rover were available. As the Jeeps wore out, the Land Rovers became the only viable option, due to the favourable import duties from Commonwealth countries. Worldwide, Land Rovers were in greater demand than the factory could output, this created an arrogance that stifled development and fostered an attitude of take what we send.
(Later Sir) Leslie Thiess was a civil contractor on the SMS and frustrated at not being able to secure Land Rovers, looked elsewhere. He privately imported a handful of FJ 25 Land Cruisers. These were far from ideal, but they were available and better than nothing. Toyota sent senior management from Japan to monitor the performance of the cars and reacted quickly to the constructive criticism of the product. Thiess was so impressed with the cooperation, service and price offered by Toyota, that he started a subsidiary company to be the sole importer and distributor of the entire Toyota range.
The rest of the Japanese automotive industry followed suit during the 60s. From the initial offerings of cheap, unsuitable vehicles they quickly developed cars that Australians wanted and marketed them aggressively. E.G. my father bought a 1967 Toyota Custom Crown wagon, a family size station wagon, as standard it had a heater/demister, exterior mirrors, carpets, electric tailgate window, self seeking radio with automatic electric aerial, tinted glass and automatic transmission, all extras, if available on the market leading big three, Holden, Ford and Chrysler.
Trucks followed a few short years later in a remarkably similar manner. When the TK Bedford was superseded, we never got the TM, it was replaced with the TR Isuzu, a crude but robust four tonner (nominal carrying capacity). This was soon replaced by the SBR/JBR four and eight tonners. These were a quantum leap forward in luxury and comfort from any othe offering from International, Dodge or Ford (pretty much the last of the UK manufacturers with the D Series Cargo). Initially all Isuzu products were badged by Bedford, to maintain the link with the respected name.
Eventually only International stood toe to toe with the Japanese invaders. Nissan, UD, Hino (Toyota), Diahatsu and Mazda had joined the frey. International were still numbe one, but only because they offered a robust, Australian designed product in every weight segment. Once Iveco got hold of Inter, they slashed the range and lost the number one position. International is now a mere shadow of its former self, offering only a single model, vocational truck, popular as a tipper, concrete or garbage truck, the only options being 2, 3, 4, or five axles
Without a doubt the Japs dominate the the local, up to 15 tonne GVM sector and have a significant presence in the three axle market.
In the heavy duty and interstate section Western Star and Kenworth are dominant, but Volvo, Scania, Daf and MAN are popular amongst the budget conscious bitumen burners.
Japanese prime movers are relatively rare and the exclusive domain of tight arse farmers and local loading and unloading of linehaul trailers.
To be fair on the old SPR that I previously denigrated, it was expected to fulfill a role for which it was not designed.

Thats an intresting post "Star down under"

I knew 2 mechanics that both reckoned Landrovers were unreliable motors. One of these used to do lots of off roading and was in
a club and even used to build his own off roaders from the ground up. He had loads of Landrovers and Range Rovers and ended up
buying a Toyota Landcruiser which he said was a different league with regard to reliability.

The other mechanic told me "you had to carry a tool box" as they always break down. Both were really good mechanics. (not fitters)
It just goes to show what you are saying about Toyota.

Was having a tyre fitted the other week and a fella pulled in with a 4 year old Landrover Discovery which he was telling me had cost
him thousands in repairs. His boss had just bought a brand new Range Rover that cost approx £100,000 and apparently it had been
back in the garage more than he had used it on the road !

Was talking to a taxi driver in Singapore and he told me there were 28,000 taxis in 2012 and they were nearly all Toyota Corollas
apart from some Mercedes.

taxis sing.PNG

Not a lorry but my 11 year old 1.33 toyota iq is knocking on the door of 170,000 miles, had it from 12 months old, it travels the a14 and m6 4 days a week, problem, 1 battery , and an a/c component had to be changed, i've had toyota's since 1975, my 12 th toyota should be here in a week or 2.
At swift we had a 7.5 tonne isuzu, nqr i think, very tk like even down to the propshaft hand brake, very reliable, and light, did the job,but hard to get anybody in it, when we had euro cargo's and road runners. But it was a good little motor i thought.

[Froggy55]

I photographed this Hino in the City of London in May 2007. Did any of you ever drive this model? Anything to tell about it?

[Kempston]

Mick George run a few Hino eight wheeler tippers.

[coomsey]

So why didn't Hino do a "Volvo/Scania" over here ? I know they came in through Harris in Ireland , why was that?
Was there an import ban? Now we've done a Brexit are they going to start flooding in n do what the Europeans what they did to us? Cheers coomsey

[Suedehead]

Is it true that the 3 green marker lights on the cab of the early Hinos, gave an indication of the speed they were doing ? . . .
or is that a load of old Horlicks

[Ste46]

Hino trucks were excellent for muckshifting work, I think that spares backup wasn't brilliant though? I believe they liked a drink as well! Longcliffe Quarries have at least one though, as does an OD working from there who previously ran Fodens.

There used to be a saying an Australian friend told me "If you want to go into the desert then buy a Landrover, if you want to come back out again then you had better buy a Toyota".

Pete.

Do you remember Bill Warrngton from Yeavley, Pete? An O/D, he ran a Hino artic some years ago, although long since retired now.

Steve

[Franglais]

Is it true that the 3 green marker lights on the cab of the early Hinos, gave an indication of the speed they were doing ? . . .
or is that a load of old Horlicks

Japanese domestic laws 1967 to 2001 required 3 green lights, to indicate speed ranges.

https://yamada-co.jp/en/blog/detail/63# ... %20reasons.

[windrush]

Hino trucks were excellent for muckshifting work, I think that spares backup wasn't brilliant though? I believe they liked a drink as well! Longcliffe Quarries have at least one though, as does an OD working from there who previously ran Fodens.

There used to be a saying an Australian friend told me "If you want to go into the desert then buy a Landrover, if you want to come back out again then you had better buy a Toyota".

Pete.

Do you remember Bill Warrngton from Yeavley, Pete? An O/D, he ran a Hino artic some years ago, although long since retired now.

Steve

Aye Steve, I remember Bill but can't say that I remember his Hino though.

Pete.

[Bewick]

I once bought a brand new diesel Toyota pick up ( rear wheel drive ) Y reg '83 that came from Southern Ireland a great motor ( column change) well after 3 or 4 years the silencer started blowing so I called at our local Toyota Dealers in Morcambe to enquire if they could supply me with a new system " sorry mate that model dosen't appear on our lists not a UK supplied motor" ! Well our fitters did temp repairs with a couple of bean tins but obviously the problem needed sorting so one day not long after I was at our Tyre Supplier in Morecambe again and next door was a little local Exhaust outlet so in desperation I asked if they could help----- "certainly we'll have a butchers so lets put it up on the ramp" the Chap was straight underneath and weighed form up for a bit then he disappeared and returned with a complete system ( with an inch of dust on it !) he held it up to the underside and it was identical !!! The one he had brought out was from a 1970's Cressida which had the identical floor pan to the pick up !! They reckoned they had had this part in stock for over 10 years and guess what he said I could have it for what they had it priced at all those years ago !!!
I couldn't resist nipping into the Toyota Dealer to advise them I had got fixed up but I told them that I had a new one flown in from Japan on Flying Tigers air freight no thanks to them !! Cheers Bewick

[1970commer]

Hino trucks were excellent for muckshifting work, I think that spares backup wasn't brilliant though? I believe they liked a drink as well! Longcliffe Quarries have at least one though, as does an OD working from there who previously ran Fodens.

There used to be a saying an Australian friend told me "If you want to go into the desert then buy a Landrover, if you want to come back out again then you had better buy a Toyota".

Pete.

Do you remember Bill Warrngton from Yeavley, Pete? An O/D, he ran a Hino artic some years ago, although long since retired now.

Steve

Aye Steve, I remember Bill but can't say that I remember his Hino though.



Pete.

That's because he never ran one, he had a bonneted Mack after his Volvo F10 but before his ERF EC11, it was painted light blue, a lot lighter than his Volvo, The ERF was white & the tanker trailer was liveried Ash Resources.

That owd' bloke from Hilton must have been dreaming after having breathed in so much fresh clean air on his visit to Longford on Sunday Pete

[tonyj105]

I once bought a brand new diesel Toyota pick up ( rear wheel drive ) Y reg '83 that came from Southern Ireland a great motor ( column change) well after 3 or 4 years the silencer started blowing so I called at our local Toyota Dealers in Morcambe to enquire if they could supply me with a new system " sorry mate that model dosen't appear on our lists not a UK supplied motor" ! Well our fitters did temp repairs with a couple of bean tins but obviously the problem needed sorting so one day not long after I was at our Tyre Supplier in Morecambe again and next door was a little local Exhaust outlet so in desperation I asked if they could help----- "certainly we'll have a butchers so lets put it up on the ramp" the Chap was straight underneath and weighed form up for a bit then he disappeared and returned with a complete system ( with an inch of dust on it !) he held it up to the underside and it was identical !!! The one he had brought out was from a 1970's Cressida which had the identical floor pan to the pick up !! They reckoned they had had this part in stock for over 10 years and guess what he said I could have it for what they had it priced at all those years ago !!!
I couldn't resist nipping into the Toyota Dealer to advise them I had got fixed up but I told them that I had a new one flown in from Japan on Flying Tigers air freight no thanks to them !! Cheers Bewick

those hilux pick ups were indestuctable , where i used to work the bosses mum at their farm used to stick her's in 1st gear and low, then just walk behind it chucking the feed out for the sheep , but one day it got away from her , ran down the field down an embankment and nose first into a stream , her son just yanked it out with a tractor and it just carried on. i'd love a hilux but a) i've no room to park one and b) my missus would probably kill me if i brought one home, i'm making do with a new yaris cross (my 12th toyota)

[Star down under.]

Despite Top Gear's biased and dodgy claims, Hi-Luxes are not indestructible and rust at a horrifyingly rapid rate.

[tonyj105]

all early toyotas did , my 73 corolla and 74 celica were horrifying for rust, my 86 corolla gt was better but the body kit hid most of the rust , my 91 corolla gti was just the front wings , after that 96 + 2002 + 2005 RAV's not a spot of rust , and my 2009 IQ hasn't any and is nearly on 170000 miles (mostly A14 + M6) and only needed 1 battery .

[andrew.s]

Drove a Hino for a year or so-700 series I think it was called
Without a doubt the worst lorry I have ever driven.absolutely terrible.
I would change jobs if asked to drive one again.
I would rather drive a TK.the Bedford would be more comfortable.
My mate wrote the hino off-we were both pleased lol

[carryfast-yeti]

when i worked out of Mountsorrel quarry in the 90's there was an owner driver,Mick Gibbins who ran a Hino 8 legger on general quarry work.he had it for a few years,so must have been half-decent.

[Suedehead]

134306435_4126559757372876_2372066978680539827_n.jpg (85.98 KiB) Viewed 1102 times

[DEANB]

Hino 1978.

Click on pages twice to read.

[kmills]

So, Japanese trucks eh?
As the former owner and founder of the company where I work used to say - "if you want to make many out of a truck, buy a Japanese one"....

Here at Ace Crane Trucks half of the 12 trucks are Japs- a mix of Hino's and UD's. The rest are Volvo & Kenworth.

I've been at Ace for 10 years, originally driving, but now in the workshop as a boilermaker/ welder, and all round fixer up 'er - boilermaker and welder is my trade.

So first up - the only Hino artic - a 2006 '700'.
12 litre, 450 hp with an 18 spd Road Ranger box - it's quiet, comfortable enough- but with a next to useless bed- but we don't do many nights out.

This motor had the 23 tonne Fassi crane removed a couple of years ago when it was out certification, but is still in daily use, using a Manitou telehandler.

To date, it has clocked up just over the 1 million kms - 1, 007,000 to be precise this week- and thousands of hours with the engine & pto in use operating the crane.

Here's a full list of the 'unscheduled ' repair work it's had;

1 clutch.
A set of shock absorbers.

Yep, that's it. The motor has never been touched, and it runs & drives very well.

I'll post some info regarding the other Japs we have soon.

Cheers,

Keith

[coomsey]

20220124_150855.jpg

So, Japanese trucks eh?
As the former owner and founder of the company where I work used to say - "if you want to make many out of a truck, buy a Japanese one"....

Here at Ace Crane Trucks half of the 12 trucks are Japs- a mix of Hino's and UD's. The rest are Volvo & Kenworth.

I've been at Ace for 10 years, originally driving, but now in the workshop as a boilermaker/ welder, and all round fixer up 'er - boilermaker and welder is my trade.

So first up - the only Hino artic - a 2006 '700'.
12 litre, 450 hp with an 18 spd Road Ranger box - it's quiet, comfortable enough- but with a next to useless bed- but we don't do many nights out.

This motor had the 23 tonne Fassi crane removed a couple of years ago when it was out certification, but is still in daily use, using a Manitou telehandler.

To date, it has clocked up just over the 1 million kms - 1, 007,000 to be precise this week- and thousands of hours with the engine & pto in use operating the crane.

Here's a full list of the 'unscheduled ' repair work it's had;

1 clutch.
A set of shock absorbers.

Yep, that's it. The motor has never been touched, and it runs & drives very well.

I'll post some info regarding the other Japs we have soon.

Cheers,

Keith

So they sound good for reliability Keith, so why aren't they ruling the roost ? They're like hens teeth over here,n yet the cars n bikes are everywhere ! Cheers coomsey

[Star down under.]

Heavy duty (over 15 tonne GVM) are more popular with councils, government and semi-government organisations and industries requiring trucks, rather than the transport industry proper.
Jap trucks do most thing adequately but nothing spectacularly. They're cheap to buy, but not suited to interstate roles, particularly time sensitive.
In comparison to the rest of the world, Asian torque and horsepower, is somewhat optimistic.

[Juddian]

Interesting post from Kmills.

Hino were restarting to make inroads around the mid noughties in the UK, dunno about the rest of europe.
I read they were reluctant, understandably, to go down the euro 6 route initially and who can blame them for that because Toyota's strength is reliability/durability which they didn't want to compromise.
Since euro 6 they've virtually disappeared from the UK, though they've now got euro 6 sorted, but 7 is just around the corner so doubt they'll be coming back.

They don't need to bother trying to keep up with europe's fast changing eco requirements, their reliable machines sell in vast numbers throughout the rest of the world which hasn't hampered itself with unrealistic climate targets that will only succeed in finally killing off what little UK heavy manufacturing industry is left.

It would cost massive fortunes to set up a dealer network for Hino in the UK alone, not worth the risk as its anyone's guess what the next moves are in climategate uk/europe, why bother when they have willing buyers throughout the rest of the world, much of which in Asia particularly is taking off economically without hobbling its own industries.

Look up Hino on youtube and you can see hundreds of Hinos soldiering on in the sorts of conditions our european trucks wouldn't make the first corner.

I'm a big fan of Japanese cars/4x4's, those actually built in Japan, preferably Toyota because some of the others have rubbished their once fine reputations for reliable products through alliances with european makers**, run Toyotas myself and have no intention of owning anything else so long as i live, yes you have to take into account their rust resistance isn't as great as it should be because they don't use road salt in Japan (nor should we here), but if you take that on board and either prepare your own vehicle for long term rust resistance or get a professional to do it, the chances of buying a more reliable competent durable vehicle are non existant, their engineering is above question their component and especially electronic quality/reliabiliy unbeatable when compared to typical european made cars/trucks.

**even Toyota started to get into bed with euro makers by using BMW Diesel engines, a surprising decision that but their future lies in hybrid and maybe hydrogen and maybe an electric offering or two so probably wasn't worth them designing a new Diesel for the supposedly remaining short term european market.
However their shared design with PSA for Aygo and its siblings has been a massive success as one of the best small cars you can buy for reliable cheap long term motoring, can't comment on the rebadged PSA vans being sold in Toyota dealers because i know nothing about them.