Daihatsu, originally founded in 1907 as Hatsudoki Seizo Co. Ltd., began producing cars in 1951 with a focus on very small vehicles. Their first model was a 500cc three-wheeler resembling a motorcycle. Known for efficiency and build quality, Daihatsu became the first Japanese automaker to export to the UK in the 1960s and entered the U.S. market in 1987. In 1988, Toyota acquired a 51% stake in the company, leading to a decline in Daihatsu-branded exports as many models were rebadged under Toyota. The Asian financial crisis forced Daihatsu to withdraw from markets like Thailand and the U.S., although they later returned as the supplier of Scion vehicles. A strong Japanese Yen made European operations difficult, and the company exited that market in 2013.If you own a Daihatsu, Unicorp Auto Paints offers eco-friendly, color-matched touch up paint to keep your vehicle looking its best.