Daihatsu may no longer sell cars in the United States and Europe, therefore making it a rather obscure marque on these continents, but it remains the oldest surviving Japanese manufacturer. What's more, the brand is quite active in Japan and other Asian markets, where it builds and offers very small vehicles known as kei cars. Daihatsu's current lineup of production models is quite big and the Japanese automaker just revealed no fewer than 11 concepts that will make their debut at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show in January.

Based on existing nameplates such as the Boon, Thor, Move, Copen, and the Tanto, the concept cars are separated into four categories, each being aimed at a certain type of customer. There's Sporza for the sporty driver, Grand Custom for those who want a more elegant look, and Beach Cruisin' and Cross Field for enthusiasts spending their weekends at the beach or on the road, respectively.

There's no word whether any of these concept will become production models, but I can definitely see Daihatsu introducing new trim levels based on them. We should find out more at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, but in the meantime let's have a closer look at what we already know in the article below.

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Sporza

The Sporza category includes no fewer than four vehicles and the main theme is a red over black body color with gold aluminum wheels. Other highlights include sporty looking front bumpers with big splitters, large side vents, and LED daytime running lights, as well as either vented or bulged engine hoods. Although the Sporza lineup is made of significantly different cars, including the Boon hatchback, Thor and Move Canbus mini MPVs, and the Coper sports car, all are significantly more aggressive than their production counterparts. And needless to say, they look a lot more attractive than the standard kei cars that seem so weird outside Japan.

Grand Custom

Next up is the Grand Custom line, which retains the aggressive bumpers of the Sporza lineup, but ditches the race-inspired red-and-black livery for an all-black, more elegant appearance. However, while the Tanto and Move vehicles combine the black suit with blue highlights on the wheels, front grille, and bumper, the Thor model wears a more exclusive appearance that combines a chrome-like gray paint with a massive, chrome grille, and a blue roof and thin blue stripes above the beefy wheel arches. All told, Grand Custom is a more sober, but still sporty proposition.

Beach Cruising'

As you might have already guessed, this line is inspired by the hippie era, when several American automakers launched vehicles that had the beach, the sand, and the surfing board as the main theme elements. Described as cars that "crowds you closely, coloring every day casually," the Move Canbus and Boon included in this line feature light blue and Seafoam Green-like body colors combined with either white or sand. The Move Canbus features a more vintage appearance, having a white roof, classic chrome bumpers, and hubcap wheels. The Boon feels more modern thanks to its multi-spoke wheels and light blue paint, but it reminds me a bit of the old American woodie cars thanks to its sand-colored roof, C-pillars, bumper insert, and side skirt trim.

Cross Field

The fourth category goes by the name Cross Field and it's dedicated to the active folk that likes to spend their weekends in the wild. Of course, this tiny kei cars don't have what it takes to tackle the unbeaten path or enough room for fishing equipment, but their liveries recommend them for trips on accessible mountain roads. Finished in an exclusive shade of green that would serve as excellent camo in the forest, the Cast Activa and Wake hatchbacks also feature orange accents up front and on the door handles, and a military-style camo on the front bumper. Also, their roofs are wrapped in a camo-style wrap that reminds me of the "Mod top," flower-patterned roofs that Chrysler offered on muscle cars in the late 1960s and early 1970s.