Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

Eugene

(66,658 posts)

16. No. Kei vehicles are subcompact cars/trucks, slightly smaller than the 1990s Geo Tracker

Reply to Raven123 (Reply #12)

Sat Dec 6, 2025, 04:40 AM

7 hrs ago

or today's Mini Cooper. The Kei spec also limits engine size, power and top speed.

They're small, efficient and popular overseas, but they are not street-legal in many U.S. states. The other main barrier is that they are low-margin, high-tariff products in a market that craves big high-margin SUVs.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

38 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Trump says he approved the making of Japanese 'tiny cars' to be sold in the US [View all] Polybius 10 hrs ago OP

Something like that might be good for my situation. But was it something that was actually being held up previously? Silent Type 10 hrs ago #1

How do they fare when collided with those 2-3+ ton behemoths he also insists be sold in the US? RockRaven 10 hrs ago #2

Mostly better than a Raccoon Strelnikov_ 2 hrs ago #24

I assume he's lying. Hassler 10 hrs ago #3

Don't need your approval, mushroom dick! NM Grins 10 hrs ago #4

many of those van types in Hawaii but they are all right hand drive as they do in Japan msongs 10 hrs ago #5

"Kei trucks" are only a small proportion of "kei jidousha" in Japan RazorbackExpat 9 hrs ago #6

It Would Be Fun MissouriDem47 9 hrs ago #7

K cars are not allowed on interstate highways, essentially Tetrachloride 9 hrs ago #9

My daughter has a Kei car from Japan Onthefly 1 hr ago #34

About the same as seing a motorcycle. Woodwizard 4 hrs ago #19

I had a yellow one, same thing. Weighed about 1400 lbs. 40 mpg, 803 cc although called 850. twodogsbarking 1 hr ago #35

I hit 95 in mine Woodwizard 29 min ago #36

I occaionally squeezed myself and two others in. Was better when it was two females. twodogsbarking 10 min ago #38

Cappuccino Tetrachloride 9 hrs ago #8

Try to get insurance for the little death coffins. Mawspam2 9 hrs ago #10

OJ Caesar's tiny car. generalbetrayus 9 hrs ago #11

Something is off here. What are these? Glorified golf carts? Raven123 8 hrs ago #12

No. Kei vehicles are subcompact cars/trucks, slightly smaller than the 1990s Geo Tracker Eugene 7 hrs ago #16

The next thing I expect from Trump LilElf70 7 hrs ago #13

Illegals? Like 34-count felons? Orrex 4 hrs ago #17

Good one LilElf70 3 hrs ago #22

"Building Kei trucks in the U.S. would also require alterations to federal motor vehicle safety standards" progree 7 hrs ago #14

This is why he did it. Someone told him no. travelingthrulife 1 hr ago #30

Know your audience dipshit! BidenRocks 7 hrs ago #15

My old neighbor had one NickB79 4 hrs ago #18

His MAGA base has resoundingly rejected small sedans for giant trucks and SUVs. tanyev 3 hrs ago #20

IF this even comes fruition kkmarie 2 hrs ago #25

Oh, yes, I remember the MAGA crowd Diamond_Dog 1 hr ago #27

They also at one time rejected electric cars Polybius 1 hr ago #32

Are they street-safe, or are they mostly for farm-use and residential (gated-community) use? QueerDuck 3 hrs ago #21

What about Smart Cars then? Polybius 1 hr ago #33

The traffic issues alone would create a huge problem. LilElf70 3 hrs ago #23

These do not meet U.S. safety standards. Diamond_Dog 1 hr ago #26

I'm amazed he doesn't import the Trabant Turbineguy 1 hr ago #28

Florida legalized golf carts on public roadways throughout the state. sop 1 hr ago #29

OK, question for those who know: Polybius 1 hr ago #31

Counters market trends newdeal2 20 min ago #37