Daihatsu Midget X

Daihatsu has unveiled the Midget X at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, marking the return of one of Japan’s most iconic compact vehicles. The new model reinterprets the original 1957 Midget as a fully electric light commercial vehicle designed for modern urban life. It preserves the charm and utility of the original while embracing contemporary electric mobility and design principles.

Concept and Heritage

The first Daihatsu Midget was introduced as a three-wheeled utility vehicle for small businesses and local deliveries. Its compact footprint and simple structure made it a practical and affordable solution for post-war Japan.

Nearly seven decades later, the Midget X revives that idea for a new era. It is a three-seat electric light commercial vehicle aimed at small business owners, urban commuters, and lifestyle users who value versatility and simplicity. The new design combines the efficiency of a commercial platform with the personality of a lifestyle vehicle.

Design Philosophy

Daihatsu describes the Midget X as “a bicycle with something extra,” a vehicle that embodies everyday practicality, lightness, and emotional connection.

The exterior features a compact, upright structure with rounded LED headlights, a large panoramic windshield, and an approachable stance. These design choices reference the charm of the original Midget while updating it for the electric age.

The proportions emphasize simplicity and utility. Short overhangs, semi-exposed wheels, and modular rear storage options give the vehicle a distinctive and purposeful character. Every surface and volume reflects a design language centered around friendliness and functionality.

Features and User Experience

• The Midget X uses a central driver position, with two passenger seats placed symmetrically on each side. This configuration creates balance and improves visibility in tight spaces.

• The rear section offers flexible options, including a short utility box, an open cargo bed, or an extended load module for small businesses.

• The minimalist interior is designed for intuitive use. A wide touchscreen replaces traditional instruments, and small storage compartments are integrated throughout the cabin.

• Details such as camera mirrors, embedded lighting around the wheels, and a visible battery charge indicator reinforce the modern character of the design.

The combination of a playful form and functional versatility creates a new type of mobility product that feels both professional and personal.

Design Significance

For the design community, the Midget X highlights several important directions for modern mobility:

• Compact electric vehicles offer a platform for rethinking architecture and proportion.

• Commercial design can carry emotional appeal without sacrificing efficiency or practicality.

• Adaptability and modularity are increasingly central to product longevity and sustainability.

The Midget X shows how a company can revisit its design heritage to create something relevant for today’s urban environments while maintaining cultural and emotional continuity.

Observations for Designers

• Study how the central driving position influences ergonomics, packaging, and spatial experience.

• Analyze how retro-inspired details are balanced with contemporary surfaces and materials.

• Explore how modular design can create products that transition between personal and commercial use.

• Consider how small electric vehicles can redefine urban logistics and lifestyle mobility.

Conclusion

The Daihatsu Midget X is a modern reinterpretation of a Japanese classic. It transforms a symbol of practicality into a forward-thinking electric vehicle that combines efficiency, adaptability, and character. It reflects how design can honor tradition while addressing the changing needs of urban mobility.

For NIWWRD readers, the Midget X stands as a reminder that thoughtful design often begins with simplicity and purpose. True innovation lies not only in technology but in understanding how people interact with products in their everyday lives.