Forum:
A new Van-Pickup-Tipper based on the Hijet is now being sold, its called the PIAGGIO PORTER 1.3 EFi and the cost is just under £6000 with a 3 year warranty, the firm that has an add about it, is in Birmingham phone No 0121 382 5657 it could be interesting to find out if any parts fit the Hijet? from david-alan.
Better known for their
Better known for their scooters and scooter-based vans you see from time to time, Piaggio are a long established Italian firm and the Piaggio Porter has been sold alongside the Hi-Jet for a good while now. In fact, Piaggio assemble both of them for the European market (which includes us) from kits supplied from Daihatsu in Osaka, Japan, and part of the deal allows them to rebadge some as Piaggio Porters. It was also this tie-up which saw the diesel Hi-Jets being fitted with the Italian Lombardini diesel unit, diesel being far more important for light vans in the European market than petrol.
The replacement Extol is actually built in Japan, but Piaggio continue to assemble the old Hi-Jet under the Porter brand, there is even a 4x4 version now. It's all here....http://www.uk.vtl.piaggio.com/porter.htm
Dave with a Sporty
Dave with a Sporty
Hijet/Piaggio.
Hi
Yes the Porter and the Hijet are one of the same and made by Piaggio. If you lift the drivers seat you will find their name on the VIN plate.
I have to say that the finish is pretty poor compared to the usual Daihatsu standard with the seams beneath rusting quite quickly along their leading edges and the paint flaking off on the metalic ones. Ours has completely gone on the roof and has been re done but that too is flaking. Don't use a power wash as it takes the paint off and the primer is porous. Typically Italian?
I'm not surprised that the new Extol is made in Japan. Having moaned the Hijets are still a great little van to have and to drive just take care of the rust beneath and the paint. Ours is a 2000 1.3 EFi which is incredibly nippy.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Correction - Actually I've
Correction - Actually I've since found out that the Extol is a seperate van for the European market,(hence that bonnet like the Suzuki Carry)and the Hi-Jet continues in facelifted form in Japan/Asia (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu_Hijet)
Piaggio still assemble the old Hijet as the Porter, and apparently that wont be for too much longer when new Euro regs will see off all those old forward control vans. But in Japan and elsewhere it's amazing what soldiers on still - the Honda Acty is still current, Daewoo do a microvan, and even the older Suzuki SuperCarry/Bedford Rascal/Holden Scurry is still churned out somewhere.
Dave with a Sporty
Dave with a Sporty