Older Daihatsus have a loyal following, and keeping the dash intact is a big part of keeping one tidy. Decades of Australian sun take their toll on the top of the dashboard, where fading and cracking always start first and quickly spoil an otherwise clean cabin. Cover Store supplies tailored dash mats shaped to classic Daihatsu models, so that vulnerable plastic stays shaded, cooler and protected for the long haul.
Models covered in this range
The dash mats here are cut for specific Daihatsu shapes: the Charade G100/102 built from 1987 to 1993, the later Charade G200/202 from 1993 to 2000 including a version with the cut-out for the dash clock, and the Applause A101 from 1989 to 1998. Each is a distinct pattern, so the mat lines up with the vents, the demister slots and the instrument binnacle of that exact model rather than sitting slightly off like a universal mat.
Made by the Dash Cover Company
These mats come from the Dash Cover Company, a specialist in pattern-cut dashboard covers. The tailoring means the mat lays flat without curling at the edges, and the cut-outs sit exactly where they should — never covering sensors, speakers or the clock aperture on the models that have one. That precision is what separates a mat that looks like it belongs from one that looks like an afterthought thrown across the dash.
Shielding the dash from UV
The dash top gets the most direct sunlight of any interior surface, hour after hour, day after day. Over the years that heat and UV dry the plastic out until the colour fades and the surface starts to craze and crack. A dash mat takes that punishment instead, keeping the plastic underneath cooler and slowing the ageing process that eventually ruins the look of a classic cabin and knocks value off the car.
Cutting glare and reflections
A shiny or faded dash bounces sunlight straight up into the windscreen, which is tiring on the eyes and genuinely dangerous on a bright day when it washes out the road ahead. The matte, low-sheen surface of a fitted dash mat absorbs that light rather than reflecting it, so you get a clearer, more comfortable view through the glass in harsh conditions.
A colour to suit the interior
Dash mats in this range come in classic charcoal and black tones that blend with most Daihatsu interiors. The finish is deliberately understated, so it reads as part of the car rather than something obvious stuck on top of the dash. Matching the mat to your trim keeps the cabin looking coherent while still delivering the protection underneath.
Preserving a classic interior
For an older Daihatsu, an intact dash is worth protecting because once the original plastic cracks it is hard, and often costly, to source and replace. A mat that prevents the damage in the first place is cheap insurance for the condition and the value of the car. For owners keeping these models on the road, it is one of the simplest and most cost-effective preservation steps you can take, and it makes a visible difference to how the cabin presents every time you open the door.
Fitting and everyday care
A tailored mat drops straight into place and holds its position through the grip on the dash and its own shape, so there is no fuss to fitting it. Keeping it clean is just as simple — a shake-out to clear loose dust and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth is usually all it needs to look fresh again and keep doing its job.
Choosing the right mat
Match the model, body code and year to the listing so you order the correct pattern — the Charade generations in particular need the right G-code to fit properly. If you look after other older vehicles as well, Cover Store carries tailored dash protection across a wide range of makes and eras to suit them.
