Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu's Deca Deca concept is the most popular "super box" in the world
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 22nd 2009 at 9:20AM 
Daihatsu Deca Deca concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Daihatsu has a way with words: the company calls its Deca Deca concept a "super box," and we'll call it a super super box. A funky little piece of chunk, the Deca Deca has a flat floor – and a flat everything else -- along with pillarless doors that render the interior absolutely cavernous. The abyss inside has been tastefully appointed with slim, movable fold-up seats, a table, and an LCD television in case you want to "work inside the vehicle or stow large items."
Interestingly, the car was so popular that we couldn't get close to it until the second day -- there were camera crews around it constantly. But for all that, and with Japanese rents what they are, it might make a fine place to live – after all, it was "designed with leisure use in mind," and how could anyone complain about living in a super box?
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu Deca Deca
Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jsingleton17 9:41AM (10/22/2009)
What! That thing is awesome!
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airswingman 9:44AM (10/22/2009)
oh......school bus what a happy memories......
Suz0 9:27AM (10/22/2009)
Wow that is ugly
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franke 9:30AM (10/22/2009)
It's not ugly! It's damn cool! Makes me want to start a delivery service!
d-man 9:44AM (10/22/2009)
I don't think "delivery" is where I'd go with this one. I'm thinking more "luxury taxi". It's got plenty of headroom, nice and large, and I'd also play off that table and flat screen a bit.
Luso 9:31AM (10/22/2009)
Ugly but useful.
"...form follows function..."
http://www.carnorama.com
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mikecalabrese 9:44AM (10/22/2009)
I like it. It reminds me of an armored truck.
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Bus Rand 9:47AM (10/22/2009)
Yes, it looks practical and probably gets good gas mileage. Would I want to be involved in any kind of accident in the thing? No, maybe, if the other car was a Geo. But the idea that anything considered large could fit in this vehicle and actually carry more than 2 passengers is typical of this disneyland eco-liberal propaganda that these kinds of vehicles will replace the bigger vehicles of the world. Soon they'll be a movement to convince everyone that if you can learn to balance 60lbs. of groceries on your head (like the women in India carry water) then you can ride your bicycle everyday, rain or shine. These concepts are great, don't get me wrong. If this van actually fit my needs (and I was willing to risk getting squashed) I'd buy it. Just a little less fanatical effort to convince everyone that they're the solution to everything in order to rid the world of the SUV would be nice. Enough already!
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Rich 10:16AM (10/22/2009)
*Somebody* got out the wrong side of bed this morning, didn't they?
Now shush, buggerlugs.
txdesign 10:25AM (10/22/2009)
Can you just for a moment open your mind to the idea that not all consumers around the world have the needs, wants or preferences of the American consumer (you). On other continents space is at a premium and, in the case of Europe cars are taxed by their engine size, creating a different automotive environment. I like the fact that good or funky designs like the Cube are finding their way to the lower end of the market. Especially in the US, where small still equals cheap to most people.
I will be first in the line for the Fiat 500 Abarth SS!
mk15 10:45AM (10/22/2009)
Here's a little fact: This car was designed to comply/fit within Japanese Kei-car limits (here's a link for more insight on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_car). Given the constraints placed on the design by the rules, I think Daihatsu did a fine job.
If you don't want to buy a small car, you aren't forced to. And if you want something bigger, you'll just have to pay the extra costs/taxes involved with owning a larger car, that's all.
For the needs/market it fills, this is a really good try.
LMBVette 10:01AM (10/22/2009)
Nothing about a box is cool......I don't get the fascination over this and other vehicles like it.
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Derek 10:20AM (10/22/2009)
Then you obviously haven't read Calvin and Hobbes.
adrenalnjunky 11:24AM (10/22/2009)
transmogrifier reference FTW!
Smegley 10:16AM (10/22/2009)
I'd buy it if the interior stays about the same. I could build a cat tree in a corner and take the little boss with me in comfort on cross country rides.
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Throwback 10:25AM (10/22/2009)
Reminds me of the Ford SYNus concept from a few years back.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-Ford-SYNus-Concept.htm
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Dave 10:39AM (10/22/2009)
Deca Deca hi, Deca hiney ho.
Then I thought, it'd be much better with the two side doors treatment on both sides.
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mk15 10:41AM (10/22/2009)
I can see why the Japanese press was all over this.. that's really maximizing the interior space within the kei car limits. And if those eats are really like that in the production version, it would make it extremely versatile for switching people mover and cargo mover with maximized interior space.
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RMN 12:04PM (10/22/2009)
A strong gust of wind will topple this thing.
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jjpg2000 1:19PM (10/22/2009)
That thing looks brilliant, I want one.
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