Tiny Japanese vehicles, known as “kei cars,” have gained a new advocate in the United States. President Trump has expressed support for these compact cars, describing them as “really cute” and authorizing Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to permit their production in the U.S., according to a Bloomberg report. The President later took to Truth Social to announce, “These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW!”
Japan’s kei cars have long been a staple in their domestic market, offering an affordable and fuel-efficient transportation option. One of the most popular models, the Honda N-Box, is priced at just over $10,000. Meanwhile, new players like KG Motors are accepting preorders for single-seat electric vehicles starting from $7,000, as noted by PCMag. Kei cars constitute just over a third of new vehicle registrations in Japan, according to Inovev.
Despite their popularity overseas, kei cars face significant regulatory hurdles in the U.S., as Bloomberg highlights. Many vintage kei cars have been imported by enthusiasts but remain illegal on U.S. roads due to safety standards. Secretary Duffy mentioned on CNBC that while they could be a “great solution” for city driving, they might not be suitable for use on highways.
The American market currently favors larger vehicles, with the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, and Toyota RAV4 leading 2025 sales, as reported by Car & Driver. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has also indicated that significant changes to safety regulations would be necessary to accommodate kei cars, unless exemptions are made, as noted by Road & Track through Yahoo Autos.
Manufacturing these cars domestically also poses challenges. The Trump administration’s stance on electric vehicles could complicate the production of electric kei cars, which are becoming more prevalent. In contrast, European automakers see potential in small vehicles for urban areas, with Volkswagen and Stellantis exploring similar concepts, as highlighted by Reuters.
Original Story at www.pcmag.com