The first generation Daihatsu Zebra was launched on 1 August 1986 as an enlarged seventh generationDaihatsu Hijet. It is equipped with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder CB engine from previous generation. In October 1989, this received a 1.3-liter 16-valve HC-C engine rather than the earlier one-liter unit, and sales doubled year-on-year. The 1298 cc unit produces and was coupled to a four-speed manual transmission. The pickup truck version started using the "D130 Jumbo" badge, available until January 1996. There was a unique front-mid engine SUV-style based from Daihatsu Zebra 1.3 sold only in Indonesia between 1990–1994, known as "Shelby Patriot". This car shared almost everything from Zebra, except the body now have 3-door SUV style similar to Daihatsu Feroza and made from fibreglass.
The second generation Daihatsu Zebra minivan, known as the Zebra Espass was based on the eight generation Hijet and introduced in April 1995. The pickup truck version retained the D130 Jumbo badge. It was also sold as the Perodua Rusa in Malaysia from 1996. It has a completely rounded, aerodynamic styling. When it was first introduced, it is powered by the same engine as the seventh generation Hijet-based Zebra, the 1.3-liter 16-valve HC-C engine with carburetor. In 1997, the Espass Supervan was launched with the 1.6-liter 16-valve HD-C engine, standard air conditioners, audio system with tape and racing wheels. In 2000, the Zebra Espass badge for the minivan version and the D130 Jumbo badge for the pickup truck version were replaced by the new Zebra badge and the minivan version is offered in five trim levels: Blind Van, ZL, ZLX, ZX and ZSX. It is referred to as the Neo Zebra. While the Blind Van, ZL and ZLX retained the previous 1.3-liter engine with carburetor from the previous model, the ZX and ZSX which replaced the Espass Supervan retained the 1.6-liter engine with carburetor and from 2001, the 1.6-liter 16-valve HD-E engine with electronic fuel injection is also available as an option, and was later replaced in 2003 by the 1.5-liter 16-valve HE-E engine with electronic fuel injection. The pickup trucks, ZX and ZSX minivans with the 1.5-liter 16-valve HE-C engine with carburetor are also available. The 2003-2007 models of the minivan received the same red and white taillights with ornaments as used on the Perodua Rusa. The Zebra was refreshed in late 2004 and is referred to as the Zebra Master, and features an ornament on top of the grille with the larger and bolder chrome Daihatsu symbol emblem used on the recent Daihatsu vehicles. The ZSX received a chrome ornament and an updated steering wheel with the chrome Daihatsu symbol emblem. Production of the Zebra ended in 2007 when it was replaced by the Gran Max.
