Japanese Kei cars in the US

[KNS]

Please let's not send this to PARF.

Trump wants to see tiny Japanese Kei cars sold (also manufactured) in the US. I think there's some hurdles to making this happen (crash standards for one) but I hope this comes to fruition.

A two seat coupe with a manual, for example - I'd seriously consider one.

Politics aside - is there enough of a customer base for these here?

[DaveE]

Edited.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by KNS

Politics aside - is there enough of a customer base for these here?

In certain areas and markets, absolutely.

I would have bought one of these for the farm:



I have to drive 30 miles to see a speed limit above 55 mph. Perfect little truck.

I am sure some city folks see the same for the other models.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

In certain areas and markets, absolutely.

A million years ago I worked a part time job pumping gas at Brackett Airport in La Verne, CA (KPOC). One of the airport hacks we had was just like that little truck, a Suzuki, I believe. We couldn't take it off airport property but it was great for running errands all over the field. Everybody loved it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Think about the Smart Car, it was basically kei car sized but still managed to pass crash testing.

When you step back and look at it, it’s flat out stupid for a single adult to commute in a heavily urban area in a large truck, SUV, etc. Now we as Americans have the God given right to do stupid stuff, so I’m not saying this should be forced in any manner. But think about everybody buzzing around Manhattan in small, efficient city cars. It would help alleviate every aspect of congestion and infrastructure that big cities face. Parking, pollution, street damage, etc. While the government can’t (and shouldn’t) try to force our decision making process for something like a car, they can ease regulations to allow the sale of something like a kei car. At the moment the affordable car basically doesn’t exist, and a part of that is complying with government regulations.

[herr_oberst]

I see them here all the time. They are unbelievably tiny, (and cute), but the driver of a modern F150 won't even see it over the hood, to say nothing of a Raptor on 38's...

Potato chips have similar crashworthiness as a Kei car, and the ones imported to the US (at this time) are RHD which adds another element of fun to the mix.

My opinion, if highways were full of Accord sized sedans instead of SUV's and pickups, then Kei cars would make sense as an alternative to those sedans. That's not the reality on American roads, and there would need to be a complete shift in societal behavior.

(Realistically, government regulations would bloat the Kei size car to almost Accord size, and then what have we gained?

As a niche, in very lightly populated areas, it would be an alternative to a mule or a golf cart. Mainstream? Lots of pitfalls.

[onewhippedpuppy]

It’s funny that we live in a society where riding a motorcycle is legal but debate the relative safety of a kei car. The government shouldn’t be making risk assessment decisions for people.

[herr_oberst]

It's totally legal right now today to import Kei cars. You could be driving one on American roads today if that suits your fancy. It's up to the individual to decide if that's a good decision.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

It's totally legal right now today to import Kei cars. You could be driving one on American roads today if that suits your fancy. It's up to the individual to decide if that's a good decision.

Yes, a 25+ year old right hand drive car. I was referring to the fact that you can legally buy a brand new motorcycle in the US, which has no crash safety whatsoever, but can’t buy something like a kei car.

[herr_oberst]

The Smart car met crashworthiness standards, it had Mercedes marketing muscle, and it was roundly ignored by American consumers.

If it would have caught on, there'd be Smart pickups, Smart sedan deliveries, Smart minivans on the road.

If the current administration can convince buyers that Kei cars are what America wants and needs, I'm behind it all the way.

[HobieMarty]

When I was in South Korea earlier in the year I saw many small trucks and vans all over the place. I can see where smaller vehicles would be useful for specific applications such as city delivery possibly rural as well.

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[aschen]

Honda fit, Mazda 2, fiesta

The us market doesnt support these cars which are halfway between Kei and "normal" cars

For the majority of american car buys bigger is better unfortunately

[rfuerst911sc]

Or maybe trucks like the original Toyota/Datsun/S10/Ranger etc etc of the 70's size could be made available again . Easy size to drive , economical with an EFI four cylinder and can probably pass crash tests without too much trouble . That way the buyer is supported by existing dealers and parts network .

I love driving my 98 S10 hot rod around town . So easy to maneuver but WOW every vehicle seems to tower over me . Now my S10 is lowered so that helps with it feeling small . The million dollar question for the manufacturers is there enough market demand to offset the costs . It's always about $$$ .

[Arizona_928]

I have a Suzuki Carry and Mazda 121. My big PU truck sits unless I need to tow anything.

Why are these cars cheap? Does not include any regulatory requirements; ABS, traction control, manual everything, AC is an option, the suz had a AM only radio with the speaker in the head unit, no meta-data collection, very simple FI ecm that is on par with a motorcycle, not DOT compliant, definitely will never be EPA complaint. They will never be sold in America new...

[911 Rod]

I can only afford/want 1 daily driver. My truck can do everything I need, and this little thing cannot.

[HobieMarty]

Didn't we try this before???

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[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

Didn't we try this before???

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I’m not saying Americans will embrace little cars. But those things were hot garbage. Lots of small cars sold well in the ‘80s, they were all from Japan.

[stevej37]

One of the best cars I've owned/driven in my life was my Honda Fit.
Magic seats in the back that folded down to make a flat floor. Zippy 1.5 L engine with a 5 speed that I sold at 260K miles and is still being driven with 300K miles. A fun car that delivered 40 mpg.

[HobieMarty]

Yep. When those cars came out, Dad bought a bare bones Plymouth Reliant K, silver with red interior. It was a four door with a bench front seat, manual transmission, and an AM radio. Actually, that was the first manual transmission I ever drove. We didn't have the car for very long. He was going to use it as a work car but found he wanted a little more comfort and bought a four door Cutlass Brougham instead.

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[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

Yep. When those cars came out, Dad bought a bare bones Plymouth Reliant K, silver with red interior. It was a four door with a bench front seat, manual transmission, and an AM radio. Actually, that was the first manual transmission I ever drove. We didn't have the car for very long. He was going to use it as a work car but found he wanted a little more comfort and bought a four door Cutlass Brougham instead.

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I think a 4 door 3-pedal Reliant K in good condition would actually be a fun way to get around.. Sips gas, bench seat for rollin' with your best gal, (stick shift for accidentally getting handsy with your best gal), lots of glass for vision, small dimensions for easy parking, doudy styling to keep the po-po's eyes elsewhere in case a little hurry-up is in order.