- Trump wants to give kei cars a green light after falling for them in Asia.
- Says Americans could benefit from cars that are cheaper to buy and run.
- Kei cars don’t pass current US crash tests, but Trump could change rules.
Cute, cheap and charming, tiny kei microcars are big in Japan and even gained a cult following in the US among people willing to wait 25 years to import one. Now, in a shock move, President Trump says he wants to make them mainstream on this side of the Pacific.
After a recent trip to Japan, Trump told reporters he fell hard for the tiny machines and immediately wanted to know why Americans were not allowed to buy them new.
What’s Behind the Kei Crush?
“They’re very small, they’re really cute, and I said ‘How would that do in this country?’” Trump told reporters this week as he announced plans to slash tough fuel economy targets introduced by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Related: Toyota’s Boss Said “Screw It” And Went Full MAGA Gear
When told kei cars don’t pass US crash-test standards and generally fold like a deck chair in a collision with an F-150, Trump apparently decided the real problem was the rules, not the cars. So he has given Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy a new mission. Make it possible for Toyota, Honda, and anyone else to build the micro machines here.
Trump’s enthusiasm may be a little optimistic. Kei cars meet strict dimensional and engine-size rules in Japan, topping out at 660 cc and standing barely taller than some full-size truck tires.
Also: BYD Surprises Japan With A Tiny EV Ready To Take On The Kei Giants
They are brilliant in Tokyo traffic but look hilariously out of place next to American pickups that weigh almost as much as a London bus. They’re also slow, not very roomy for large-bodied Americans, and unquestionably vulnerable in accidents.
The Economics Don’t Add Up
Then there is the business case. Analysts point out that Japanese brands have no reason to produce kei cars in the US, where small cars barely sell, and profit margins make accountants cry. Even if rules change, companies would need new tooling, new factories, and a customer base that may or may not exist.
Still, Trump’s enthusiasm has thrown the door open a crack. If kei cars can squeeze through it, Americans might soon see something extraordinary at the local dealership. A car so small even a Miata would feel like a Mercedes SL.
Should the government relax rules to let new kei cars on American roads, and would anyone actually buy them? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.
Honda
