Description
The Daihatsu RKM10 was a compact, lightweight truck developed during the 1950s, a period when Japan was rapidly rebuilding its economy and infrastructure following World War II. This vehicle was part of Daihatsu’s early efforts to provide practical, efficient transportation for small businesses, farmers, and tradespeople who required a dependable and affordable means of moving goods.
Introduced around 1955, the RKM10 was a three-wheeled light commercial vehicle, following the design convention of the time. It featured a single front wheel for steering and two rear wheels for carrying the load. This layout helped reduce manufacturing costs and allowed for a tight turning radius, which made it ideal for maneuvering through narrow alleys and busy marketplaces in Japan’s growing urban centres.
Power came from a small air-cooled four-stroke engine, typically under 500 cc in displacement. This engine was mounted in the rear section and delivered modest horsepower, sufficient for the vehicle’s intended urban and rural duties. Despite its small size, the RKM10 could carry a considerable payload relative to its engine capacity, thanks to its light chassis and efficient design.
The vehicle’s construction was simple and robust. The driver sat in a small enclosed cabin, which often featured a basic windscreen and minimal protection from the elements. The cabin was built primarily for function, with simple controls and limited instrumentation. Behind the cab was a flatbed cargo area, which could be fitted with side panels or left open depending on its use case.
Daihatsu designed the RKM10 to be easy to maintain and cheap to run, qualities that made it popular with small businesses during Japan’s rapid period of industrial expansion. It contributed to the shift from bicycle and handcart deliveries to motorised transport, significantly improving productivity and efficiency for its users.
Though it was eventually replaced by more advanced four-wheeled trucks in the 1960s, the RKM10 played an important role in the development of Japan’s domestic automotive industry. Vehicles like the RKM10 helped lay the groundwork for Daihatsu’s reputation as a specialist in compact and light commercial vehicles.
Today, surviving examples of the Daihatsu RKM10 are rare, with most either lost to time or preserved in automotive museums. They are appreciated by collectors and historians for their role in post-war Japanese transportation and for their utilitarian charm and mechanical simplicity.