microvan
{{Short description|Kei-class van}}
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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-loaf vehicle") because of their shape.[http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/03/15/chinese-hero-cars-the-mian-bao-che/ Chinese Hero Cars: The Mian Bao Che] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011063459/http://www.chinacartimes.com/2007/03/15/chinese-hero-cars-the-mian-bao-che/ |date=2008-10-11 }} - China Car Times Similarly, in several Hispanic American countries, these vehicles are called pan de molde, which means "bread loaf".{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
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.{{cite web | url = http://www.jama-english.jp/europe/news/2005/jan-feb/peternunn.html | title = Minicars: Cheap and Cheerful | first = Peter | last = Nunn | publisher = JAMA |date=January–February 2005 | access-date = 2012-05-10 }} 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".{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} 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
See also
References
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External links
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- [http://www.microvanowners.co.uk/ Micro Van Owners Web Site/Forum]