Subaru Sambar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Subaru Sambar
Overview
Manufacturer	Fuji Heavy Industries
Also called	Subaru Dias Wagon
Production	1961–2012 (Fuji Heavy Industries) 2012–present (Daihatsu/Toyota)
Assembly	Otakita Plant, Ōta, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Kei truck Microvan

The Subaru Sambar is a small, useful vehicle that has been made since 1961. It's known as a "cabover" vehicle because the driver sits right over the engine. The Sambar comes in two main types: a tiny truck called a kei truck and a small van called a microvan.

The Sambar was first made by Subaru, a famous Japanese car company. Today, it's made by another company called Daihatsu. While you can see Sambars everywhere in Japan, they are not very common in places like the United States and Canada. However, some people in these countries do import them because they are unique and practical.

What is the Subaru Sambar?

The Subaru Sambar is a special kind of vehicle designed to be very compact. This makes it perfect for crowded cities and narrow streets, especially in Japan. It's small on the outside but surprisingly roomy inside for its size.

Tiny but Mighty: Kei Vehicles

The Sambar belongs to a group of vehicles called "kei" (pronounced "kay") vehicles. In Japan, "kei" cars are a special class of small cars, vans, and trucks. They have rules about how big they can be and how powerful their engines are. Because they are so small, kei vehicles get special tax benefits and are easier to park. This is why the Sambar is so popular in Japan!

• Kei Truck: This version of the Sambar is a small pickup truck. It's great for carrying goods, tools, or anything else you need to move. Farmers, small businesses, and delivery services often use them.
• Microvan: The microvan version is like a tiny passenger van. It can carry people or be used for deliveries. Some microvans are even turned into mini-campers or food trucks!

History of the Sambar

The Subaru Sambar has a long and interesting history, going back over 60 years! It has changed a lot over the years, with many different versions and updates.

Early Models (1960s-1980s)

The very first Subaru Sambar was introduced in 1961. It was one of the first kei trucks in Japan. These early models were simple and built to be tough and reliable. They helped people and businesses move things around in a time when Japan was growing fast. Over the decades, Subaru kept improving the Sambar, making it more comfortable and adding new features.

Modern Sambars (1990s-Present)

In the 1990s and 2000s, the Sambar continued to be a popular choice. Subaru made many different styles, including some with a more classic or "retro" look. In 2012, Subaru stopped making the Sambar themselves. Instead, they started selling a version of the Sambar that is made by Daihatsu, another Japanese car company. This means the Sambar name lives on, even if a different company builds it now.

Where Can You Find a Sambar?

The Subaru Sambar is a common sight in Japan. You'll see them on farms, in cities, and delivering goods. They are perfect for the narrow roads and busy streets there.

Outside of Japan, Sambars are much rarer. Some people in the United States and Canada buy them and have them shipped over. These imported Sambars are often used for fun, like off-roading, or for small jobs where a tiny truck is useful. Subaru did try selling some Sambars directly in the United States for a short time, but they never became as popular there as they are in Japan.

Images for kids

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  1970 Subaru Sambar mid-model change

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  Subaru Sambar 360 truck

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  Subaru Sambar truck

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  Subaru Sambar truck

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  Subaru Sambar truck

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  Subaru Sambar Truck TC AWD "Stylish Pack" (S510J)

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  The rear-view of a second generation truck

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  The fifth generation "Dias Classic" (1990–1998)

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  2012 Subaru Sambar van

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  Subaru Dias Wagon RS Limited

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  2012-2014 Subaru Sambar Truck TC

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  Second generation rear view

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  Second generation UK-spec

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  Fifth generation

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  Fifth generation Libero

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  1995 Retro style Sambar copy Volkswagen Type 2

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  2000 Dias Wagon Classic (Food truck)

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  2002 Subaru truck

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  2010 Subaru Dias Wagon

Related Pages

• Subaru
• Subaru Brat