When a box gets a roof tent and a ladder, something magical happens: a courier becomes a camper. Meet the Daihatsu KAYOIBAKO‑K Camper Van – the smallest idea from the big Toyota concern, which works hard in the city and escapes to nature on weekends.
Daihatsu, now wholly owned by Toyota, is on Japan Mobility Show 2025 (from October 29 to November 9) presented the Daihatsu concept KAYOIBAKO‑K Camper Van: an electric microvan tailored to the Japanese “last mile” world, so small it makes you smile. Key figures? Length 3,395 mm (133.7 in), width 1,475 mm (58.1 in), height 1,885 mm (74.2 in), wheelbase 2,550 mm (100.4 in) and four seats. Official classification: kei-class BEV. Yes, it’s officially a concept.
Small cube, big character
The design is square on purpose: as much volume as possible within a minimal footprint. Friendly LED “eyes” at the front, sliding doors at the side and a large flat door at the back – all together it looks like IKEA wardrobe on an electric skateboard, which is a compliment. The KAYOIBAKO‑K cargo van was shown with a driver’s seat, a floating dashboard module and an open cargo area adapted to urban logistics.
When a courier's cube dresses mountain climbers
The most Instagrammable version is the “micro-camper.” Here, the KAYOIBAKO-K gets a roof tent with a rear-access ladder, a retractable awning, and more robust tires. Some models sport “Woodland” graphics and even a roof LED strip—enough for that “I’m not lost, I’m exploring” look. If that sounds crazy to you, it’s really, really crazy.
What's hiding under that square hat?
Official data on the drivetrain is scarce, but the KAYOIBAKO‑K is classified as a BEV (electric vehicle). Daihatsu has not disclosed battery capacity (kWh), power (kW), torque (Nm), charging time (kW), acceleration and top speed – so we are still waiting for the numbers. But the concept aims for extreme ease of use and connectivity: the “box” can call itself, return to the base itself and connect to the fleet data center if necessary. In everyday urban life, this means less walking for the delivery person and more “plug‑and‑play” logistics.
The name says it all
“Kayoibako” is the Japanese logistics term for reusable containers, which is a convenient metaphor: Toyota and Daihatsu want to offer a fleet of “boxes” of different sizes for different tasks. Toyota showed off the predecessor of the KAYOIBAKO back in 2023, and the KAYOIBAKO‑K is a new, kei‑shrunk interpretation. Or as Toyota’s first man Koji Sato summed it up: “Just as cardboard boxes come in different sizes, so does the Kayoibako.”
Technical data (concept)
- Dimensions: 3,395 x 1,475 x 1,885 mm (133.7 x 58.1 x 74.2 in)
- Wheelbase: 2,550 mm (100.4 in)
- Seats: 4
- Class/powertrain: kei BEV (electric)
- Battery: not published (kWh) – official confirmation awaited
- Charging: not published (kW) – official confirmation awaited
- Power/torque: not published (kW/Nm) – official confirmation awaited
- 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): not published
- Top speed: not published
City worker, weekend romantic
If it carries packages during the day, it turns into a little room with a view at night. The roof tent and awning are not extreme “overlanding” equipment, but they are light enough not to spoil the logic of the kei class: little space, lots of function, no complications. This is not a “hotel on wheels”, but it is a smart micro-camping answer for those who have one car in the garage for everyone.
Daihatsu in the Toyota Group: why it matters
Since Daihatsu operates under the Toyota umbrella, the project has serious back-end – from the supply chain to the software vision (autonomous calling, fleet management). This means that this idea is not a garage experiment, but part of a larger “box system” – Toyota develops the bigger, Daihatsu the smaller. And yes, Toyota finally bought Daihatsu in 2016.
What is (not) yet and what (could be)
Don’t be afraid: we won’t sell you a dream. The KAYOIBAKO‑K is still a concept with no plans for mass production announced. But the logic is solid: a modular, electric, digitally controlled “box” for the last mile that transforms into a micro-camp at the weekend. At a time when free space in cities is more expensive than truffle oil, this is an idea with quite real potential.
Por line: KAYOIBAKO‑K Camper Van
If Jeremy Clarkson ever delivered packages in Tokyo, we'd give him this. In a week, he'd be laughing at how the grinder with LED "eyes" handled the narrow streets better than a scooter. On Saturday, he'd pitch a tent on the roof, put a chair under the awning and say that this was "the most sensible madness of the decade". The facts are clear: the KAYOIBAKO‑K is officially a concept and for now without a price, performance or battery figures, with completely concrete dimensions, a goal and a story - and that's the best thing about such boxes. In reality, it's less of a car and more of an idea of what mobility should look like, when less is really more. If this box goes into production, it will be one of those rare cases where engineering cynicism triumphs over romance - and that's exactly why we'll be rooting for it.
