Stuff only has a limited selection of cars for the Stuff 2024 Top Cars People’s Choice Award that was chosen by a small panel, so not really "People's Choice".

Most cars on the list are large expensive SUVs and Utes/Pickup Trucks. These vehicles are not that of the everyday person. They are climate wrecking gas guzzlers, as well as extremely dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists.

So, why the Daihatsu Hijet Truck? There's been a major marketing effort by car companies to push for larger Utes/Pickup Trucks like the Ford Ranger (one of the cars people can vote for) in NZ, and it's working. As previously mentioned, these vehicles are consume high amounts of fuel, making them unsustainable. They are more dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists, and even other motorists for many reasons, though mainly due to their higher height of bonnet decreasing visibility and making it more likely for pedestrians/cyclists are to go under the car, instead of on top if hit.   

The Daihatsu Hijet Truck is a Kei truck, and Kei trucks are small utility vehicles which are affordable, efficient, particle, reliable, and not a as dangerous. They often even have larger truck beds than some of these larger Utes, and probably be more suitable/practical for workers and famers which use these kinds of vehicles.

So, if New Zealand is going to illogically keep being a sprawling car-centric nightmare, instead switching to a more sustainable walkable, cyclable form of planning with good public transport, it would be at least somewhat better to see more Kei trucks and other kei cars here, as they are cars more for everyday people (surprisingly often more suitable for tall people as well).

Since it is a car awards, it would be unlikely that a bicycle, bus or train would be allowed, so we shall at least demand that Stuff allows kiwis to vote for a great particle vehicle like the Daihatsu Hijet Truck! 

The Daihatsu Hijet Truck is currently the number 1 selling Kei truck in Japan (where kei trucks/cars are from), thus why it was nominated. Also, if it isn't obvious by now, it's kind of funny.  

Do I own a Daihatsu Hijet Truck: No.

Do I want a Daihatsu Hijet Truck: Not particularly, but if I was given an option to own any of the cars people can vote for the Stuff 2024 Top Cars People’s Choice Award or the Daihatsu Hijet Truck, I'd choose the Daihatsu Hijet Truck.

 

So please sign the petition and share it around.

If somehow we our successful and Stuff adds Daihatsu Hijet Truck to the least of cars people can vote for, remember to vote for it!

 

Thanks