Founded in 1951, Daihatsu is currently headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Originally known as the Hatsudoki Seizo Company, which was created in 1907, the company has been a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation since 2016. In 2021, it accounted for 4% of the group's total vehicle sales. Daihatsu is best known for its three-wheel, off-road, and entry-level compact vehicles.

When Daihatsu was still known as the Hatsudoki Seizo Company, the first vehicle it manufactured was the Model HAin 1930. This model was used as a prototype on which the company made improvements, which turned into the Model HB. The Model HB was launched the following year as Daihatsu's first consumer vehicle. Today, Daihatsu makes a variety of vehicles, with its current lineup including the Sirion, Ayla, and Cuore. Past Daihatsu models include the Altis, Applause, Copen, Feroza (in both hardtop and soft top), the Gran Move, the Materia, and the Rocky. Daihatsu's highest sales in the US was in 2014 when it sold 687,390 units.

Daihatsu plans to release ten new models by 2025 and is currently focusing its efforts on emerging vehicle markets like Malaysia. The company also plans to convert its Japanese production lineup to produce only fully-electrified or hybrid vehicles by 2030. 2025 also marks the year that Daihatsu will release its first electric mini vehicle.