Microvan: Information from Answers.com

For smallest minivans, see Mini MPV.

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007)

Daihatsu Hijet Cargo ninth generation

Daihatsu Midget II Cargo, smaller than Hijet.

A microvan is a van that fits into Japanese kei car classification or similar. In certain regions, these models are inexpensive and widely used for small business because of tax and insurance benefits; for example, in Japan they are exempted from a certification that there is adequate parking available for the vehicle.

In China, these vehicles are nicknamed mian bao che ("bread loaf van") because of their shape.^[1], in a similar fashion, in several Latin American countries these vehicles are called Pan de Molde, which means "bread loaf".

Most microvans have two swinging front doors, two sliding rear doors and a large tailgate. Seating can vary from two to nine (up to four in Kei car regulation); 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. Some models also feature pickup truck variants with one or two seat rows. Engines usually have displacements under 1.0 litres; for example, Japanese microvans have a limit of 660 cc. Out of Japanese market, the microvan also available from 850 cc to 1.6 litres engine.

The kei car regulation is used only in Japan, though other Asian automakers also design microvans with similar characteristics. The microvan are commonly known as Kei one box in Japan alongside with their pick-up version twins know as Kei truck.