U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed admiration for Kei cars while outlining his plans to revise changes to fuel economy regulations on Wednesday.
During his remarks on making new cars more affordable in the U.S., Trump revealed that he has directed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to streamline regulations, paving the way for small vehicles like Japan’s kei cars, commonly sold in Asia, to enter the American market.
“They’re very small, they’re really cute, and I said, How would that do in this country? But we’re not allowed to make them in this country, and I think you’re gonna do very well with those cars, so we’re gonna approve those cars,” Trump said.
Kei cars, designed to meet Japan’s light vehicle regulations, have seen rising demand in the automotive market, even in the United States.
Over the past five years, sales of kei trucks in the U.S. have tripled, with roughly 7,500 units imported in the last year alone, according to figures from Japan Used Motor Vehicle.
Comparing the Kei cars to the Volkswagen Beetle, Trump stated that he is directing the Department of Transportation to swiftly authorize the production of these vehicles.
“He gave me the directive to clear the regulations on this, which we have,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, adding that “And so if Toyota or any other company wants to make smaller, more affordable, fuel-efficient cars, we have cleared the deck so they can make them in America and sell them in America.”
The rules governing the legality of kei vehicles in the United States remain inconsistent. Federal regulations permit the import of mini trucks provided they are at least 25 years old, but state-level laws on their registration and road use are far less definitive.
Additionally, these vehicles must adhere to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which cover requirements ranging from steering wheel positioning to overall vehicle weight.
Kei vehicles, derived from the term ‘keitora’ or ‘light truck,’ are subject to strict limits on engine capacity, dimensions, and power. Although it has gained a niche popularity in the United States, the compact size makes it less appealing to most American consumers.
However, easing regulations on such vehicles could provide an opportunity for U.S. automakers to reenter the small car market, a segment they have largely abandoned in favor of more lucrative SUVs.
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