The is a kei car series from Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan, based on the long-running Minica, and first introduced on 11 October 2001. The "eK" name is an abbreviation for "excellent keijidōsha" (or "excellent minicar") and is meant to be pronounced "ee kay", a pun which sounds like the Japanese いい軽, meaning "good kei [car]".
Since 8 June 2005, Nissan received 36,000 eK Wagons annually from Mitsubishi, to be sold within the domestic market as the Nissan Otti."Nissan To Get New eK WAGON Supply from Mitsubishi" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, 31 October 2001 The Otti was replaced by the Nissan Dayz on 6 June 2013, although the Otti was still sold alongside the Dayz until being discontinued on 28 June 2013. A tall-height minivan version with rear sliding doors called the eK Space appeared in 2014. It, too has a Nissan version, called the Nissan Dayz Roox from 2014 to 2020 and as the Nissan Roox from 2020.
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First generation (2001)
In its first generation, it was available either as an eK Wagon (introduced on 11 October 2001), eK Sport (introduced on 2 September 2002), eK Classy (introduced on 26 May 2003) or eK Active (introduced on 25 May 2004).
The eK Wagon was released in a simplified lineup, in only a single model (M) with an available package (M+X) including alloy wheels and some other cosmetics. It was only available with the 3G83, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine with ; other models later added the option of a turbocharged version with . The standard transmission was a three-speed automatic with a column shift, later a four-speed version was added, while some models could also be fitted with a five-speed manual with a floor-mounted shifter. Most models could be had with either front- or four-wheel drive.
Immediately upon its release it was the recipient of the Good Design Award by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2001."Mitsubishi Motors has Received the Good Design Award" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 11, 2001 While the initial sales target was 10,000 units per month, it sold 13,000 in its first four days, and 20,000 by the end of October 2001."Brand-new eK-WAGON order top 13,000 in first 4 days after launch Way over 10,000 monthly target" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 16, 2001"eK-WAGON orders top 20,000" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, August 8, 2006 It was Mitsubishi's highest volume model in the Japanese domestic market,"First drives - Mitsubishi eK Sport" , Auto Express and total sales to 2005 are approximately 480,000. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.
The crossover eK Active model was introduced in 25 May 2004, shortly before the model was facelifted. Fitted with 14-inch wheels, ground clearance was increased by while the front seats sat higher. The addition of body cladding in dark grey imparted an off-road look to the model; the front clip was also different, featuring the new corporate face conceived by Olivier Boulay. The eK Active was available with either engine (the V model being naturally aspirated, VT the turbocharged model) but only with the four-speed automatic; both models also had optional four-wheel drive.
The eK Wagon G model, with more equipment and the four-speed automatic, was added in May 2003, originally only as the "M20G Thanks Edition", celebrating 200,000 sales. In August 2003 the G became a standard model, while the X-package was discontinued. A facelifted eK Wagon was introduced on 20 December 2004; the eK Active was not changed apart from receiving redesigned hubcaps. On 20 December 2005, the eK Classy was discontinued
Nissan Otti After Nissan reached an agreement with Mitsubishi to expand its OEM mini car line-up on 16 January 2005, Nissan released the Otti on 17 June of the same year. The car is exclusive to Nissan Red Stage and Nissan Blue Stage dealers.
Aside from the design of the front grille, body colors, there are no major differences from the OEM versions, the eK Wagon and eK Sport. Mitsubishi eK
Nissan Otti
Second generation (2006)
The second generation eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on 13 September 2006."Mitsubishi Motors launches new eK Wagon & eK Sport" , Mitsubishi Motors press release, 13 September 2006 The eK Active was discontinued at the time of the second generation's launch. A facelifted eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on 21 August 2008. The car sported a sliding door on the passenger side, which was unusual for its class and a layout which was abandoned for the third generation.
A rebodied version of this generation became the fourth generation Toppo as well, using some body panels of the third generation Toppo. For the next generation, this became the Mitsubishi eK Space.
Mitsubishi eK
Nissan Otti
Third generation (2013)
The third generation eK Wagon and its new sportier variant, called the eK Custom, were released on June 2013. It was the first major design update since when the eK began sales. This time, Nissan's derivative was sold as the Nissan Dayz, while the eK Custom was sold as the Nissan Dayz Highway Star.
The eK received a facelift in October 2015. While the Dayz received the facelift on 23 October 2015. The new Autech Bolero was added. Features a chrome-plated front grille and a rounded front bumper.
The Active Gear grade was released in December 2017. This is the fourth model in the Active Gear series, following the Delica, Outlander, and RVR, is based on the turbo charged "T Safety Package." The exterior features an orange accent line on the front grille, orange -coloured door mirrors, and black 15-inch alloy wheels.
Fuel economy scandal In April 2016, Mitsubishi Motors announced that it had discovered improper fuel-economy testing procedures affecting several kei car models, including the Mitsubishi eK, eK Space, and the OEM-supplied Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox. The company admitted that employees had manipulated fuel-consumption data by using testing methods that did not comply with Japanese regulations. Approximately 625,000 vehicles were affected, including cars supplied to Nissan. The disclosure caused Mitsubishi Motors’ share price to fall sharply and led to widespread criticism of the company’s corporate governance and quality-control practices.
Following an investigation by the Japanese government, Mitsubishi acknowledged that improper testing practices had been used for decades on some models. Company president Tetsuro Aikawa resigned in June 2016, accepting responsibility for the scandal.
Despite the controversy, production of the eK series continued under the joint venture NMKV, with later generations redesigned to meet updated fuel-efficiency and safety standards. Sales restarted in July of the same year.
Mitsubishi eK
Nissan Dayz
Fourth generation (2019)
The fourth generation eK Wagon was unveiled on 14 March 2019, and released on 28 March 2019. Both eK and badged-engineered Dayz models are powered by BR06 I3 from most of Mitsubishi/Nissan's kei car range and produces and BR06 turbo produces , and maximun torque at . Booth models are only available in CVT transmission.
eK X A crossover SUV-styled variant, called the were unveiled on 14 March 2019, and released on 28 March 2019. The eK X using the "Dynamic Shield" design language. It was offered in M, G, T turbo grades. Booth eK Wagon and eK X is the first Mitsubishi Motors vehicle to adopt the highway lane-keeping assist technology; MI-PILOT which is a rebadged version from Nissan's ProPILOT.
The battery electric version of the eK X called the eK X EV was introduced on 20 May 2022, along with its Nissan-badged equivalent called the Nissan Sakura, which received different exterior and interior styling compared to the Dayz.
A facelifted eK X EV was unveiled on 18 June 2026. The changes include a redesigned front fascia, body-coloured grille, and the front grille is now equipped with LED lights.
Nissan Dayz (B40)
The second-generation Dayz was launched in 19 March 2019 along with eK Wagon. It was offered in standard S, and X grades, while the Highway Star was offered in X and G grades. A retro-styled Bolero which was produced by Autech also available. This is Nissan's first kei car with ProPILOT lane-keeping assist technology.
The two-model lineup, the regular model and the higher Highway Star models was retained from the first generation. Feature a V-Motion front grille. The "Highway Star" features LED headlights, and the larger V-Motion with 3D mesh grille.
A facelift occurred in September 2023. The regular model received a redesigned front grille, while the Highway Star grade received a completely redesign front fascia. Two-tone colour option were available in booth regular and Highway Star models.
Annual production and sales Production figures include OEM units manufactured on behalf of Nissan, while sales figures only include Mitsubishi-badged models. Year Production Sales 2001 97,390 86,465 2002 115,918 122,857 2003 119,652 118,567 2004 70,826 71,062 2005 118,480 73,277 2006 122,294 67,052 2007 77,875 56,686 2008 63,943 39,972
(sources: Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)
Sales +YearJapanNissan DayzMitsubishi eK X EV201378,846201488,186201571,558201651,329201763,969201863,883201989,371202071,934202153,773202243,8644,175202338,6877,021202450,4322,504
References
External links
(global) (ek Wagon) (ek X) (Dayz)