The downward trend in the number of small and mini-sized trucks and vans in use in Japan continues.

Overall demand for small and mini-sized trucks and vans in 2016 was basically unchanged from the previous fiscal year’s level, with survey responses showing an increase in replacement demand.

Survey results revealed a trend towards longer driving distances and narrowed use purposes. Mini-truck use was focused primarily on shipments/deliveries to end consumers. Although the freight transport industry is characterized by its high reliance on the use of expressways, the frequency of use of such routes was found to be roughly equal to that shown in the results of the previous survey conducted in fiscal 2014. Growth was noted, however, in short-distance driving.

The trend to replace an in-use vehicle with the purchase of a vehicle of the same class and model remains robust. An exception was noted in the subsegment of small “cab-over-engine” vans, owners of which expressed a pronounced desire to shift to passenger-carrying models. Among corporate operators, there was little change in intentions over the next one to two years with respect to fleet size compared to the findings of the fiscal 2014 survey.

Survey results confirmed that safety awareness in this sector of the freight transport industry is pronounced, as is the appeal of advanced safety technologies.

Receptiveness to hybrid small and mini-sized trucks was shown to be high, although intentions to purchase next-generation eco-friendly vehicles remained low.

Demand among farming households centers on mini-sized trucks, in terms of both vehicles in use and future replacement purchases. However, survey responses revealed a continuing increase in mini-sized passenger car ownership among owners of in-use mini-sized trucks.

Vigorous moves are afoot to hire women and younger drivers in the freight transport industry, a sector in which the shortage of drivers is particularly acute.