Microvan

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title: "Microvan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["microvans", "cab-over-vehicles", "commercial-vehicles"] description: "Kei-class van" topic_path: "general/microvans" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microvan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Kei-class van ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Hijet-cargo.jpg" caption="A Daihatsu Hijet (ninth generation)"] ::

A microvan is a van or minivan which is within the Japanese kei car classification or similar, and is smaller than a mini MPV. In China, these vehicles are nicknamed miàn bāo chē (bread car) due to their bread-loaf like shape. Similarly, in several Hispanic American countries, these vehicles are called pan de molde, which means "bread loaf". In Indonesia, it is commonly called a minibus due to their tall roof, perceived as resembling a miniature bus; the term is also used generally to refer to any type of three-row MPVs.

Outside of China and Japan, microvans are also common in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Microvans share similar characteristics with other-sized MPVs; for instance, microvans commonly have rear sliding doors. Generally, they have capacity for six, seven, or eight passengers. As this category of vehicle has fixed third-row seats, a single vehicle cannot be used both for passenger transport and larger-cargo transport without refitting; therefore, microvans are not usually considered multi-purpose vehicles.

Economics

Tax and insurance benefits in some locations make these models particularly inexpensive. For example, in rural Japan, kei-car vehicles are exempted from a certification that adequate parking is available for the vehicle. They are, therefore, widely used for small businesses in these places.

Design

The first vehicle to adopt the bodystyle of a van, with the engine installed in front of the driver, was the 1970s Honda Life "StepVan". Some microvans use a drivetrain with the engine installed transversely, using front- or all-wheel drive, while others use a cabover approach where the engine is installed beneath the driver, while still using all-wheel or rear-wheel drive powertrains. Cabover variants usually share their chassis with kei truck derivatives from the same manufacturer.

Most microvans have two swinging front doors, two sliding rear doors and a large tailgate. Seating can vary from two to nine; these seats are usually very thin and vertical to optimise room. The side windows in commercial-only versions of microvans are replaced by metallic panels; this type of microvan is sometimes called a "blind van". Some models also feature pick-up variants with one or two seat rows. Engines usually have displacements under 1.0 L; for example, Japanese microvans have a limit of 660 cc. Outside the Japanese market, microvans are available with 850-cc to 1.6-L engines.

The kei car regulation is used only in Japan, though other Asian automakers also design microvans with similar characteristics. The microvans are commonly known as "kei one-box" in Japan; their pick-up versions are known as kei trucks.

Gallery

Kei microvans

File:Daihatsu Hijet-Cargo Cruse S331V.JPG|Daihatsu Hijet Cargo File:2001_Subaru_Sambar_01.jpg|Subaru Sambar Van File:Honda Acty van 1999.jpg|Honda Acty Van File:Suzuki Every DA17V PA Limited.jpg|Suzuki Every File:Mitsubishi Minicab of Duskin Service Master 20080407a.jpg|Mitsubishi Minicab Van File:Japanese kitchen car.jpg|Subaru Dias Wagon Classic food truck File:Maruti Omni.jpg|Maruti Suzuki Omni, Indian licensed version of the Suzuki Carry

Non-kei microvans

Image:Suzuki E-RV (front), Kajang.jpg|Suzuki Every Landy/E-RV or Maruti Versa Image:Perodua Rusa (first generation, first facelift) (front), Kajang.jpg|Perodua Rusa, Based on the Daihatsu Zebra. Image:Subaru_Domingo_001.JPG|Subaru Domingo Image:Mitsubishi_Townboxwide.JPG|Mitsubishi Town Box Wide

References

References

1. [http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/03/15/chinese-hero-cars-the-mian-bao-che/ Chinese Hero Cars: The Mian Bao Che] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-10-11 - China Car Times)
2. Nunn, Peter. (January–February 2005). "Minicars: Cheap and Cheerful". [[Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

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