Yay for Kei? Owners of the Tiny Imports Cheering in Massachusetts
When we last left the tale of the Kei trucks, cars, and vans (Kei comes from keijidōsha, Japanese for light vehicle)—very small vehicles that are typically short of required safety features to be conventionally imported into the U.S. for use on public roadways—it wasn’t the U.S. but individual states that were generally coming down hard on them.
According to the Japanese Used Motor Vehicle statistics, 7594 Kei trucks were imported into the U.S. last year. Ten years ago, before many of these Japanese market vehicles met the 25-year age limit to legally import into the U.S., that number was 797. For balance, Ford sold 750,789 new F-150s in 2023.
Since they are not built to the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, only Kei vehicles that are older than 25 years can be imported into the U.S., because vehicles that elderly aren’t subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Despite the obstacles, there are multiple companies in the U.S. that will handle importation and sell you a Kei. The most popular vehicle type is the Kei truck, perfect for light delivery, landscaping, farm use, and just driving, because so many Kei fans like the compact, easy-to-park nature of the truck. Plus, well, they’re cute.
And as we all know, the best way to make Americans want something is to tell them they can’t have it.
When our story ran in June, there wasn’t much good news for Kei owners regarding states’ blessing, aside from an uneasy truce in Texas. But now comes word that the state of Massachusetts has formally endorsed Kei usage and registration.
As of Tuesday, here’s the Massachusetts legal line: “The Registry of Motor Vehicles has completed its preliminary assessment of industry standards related to Kei trucks, cars and vans. At this time, owners of Kei Vehicles will be able to register these vehicles effective September 18, 2024. Kei Vehicles that are already registered may continue their existing registration and renewals, without interruption.
“The RMV intends to register Kei Vehicles while continuing to review safety implications of Kei Vehicles on the public roadways. Plans for conducting a formal study of this subject matter are under development and will be announced once complete.
“Newly registered Kei Vehicles may receive a passenger or commercial plate, depending on their intended use. Owners who wish to register and title their Kei Vehicles may do so by visiting their local RMV Service Center.”
This gives Kei advocates throughout the U.S. a solid precedent to argue in other states, and should soon provide a Kei database to refer to regarding usage, wrecks, and the like. It’s a major step forward for the Kei movement; let’s see what happens next.
These 25, or more, years old vehicle are no less safe or compliant than any other car of that vintage. I have friends with 1940’s, and older vehicles registered and driving around town and interstates with cars that don’t even have DOT legal windshields, headlights or bumpers. What makes them legal?
Agreed. How would a Honda Beat or Suzuki Cappuccino be any less safe than a 1960s MG Midget (or an MGB for that matter)?
I will wager my 40 year old Pontiac would do much better than this thing.
I hit a Dodge van at 45 mph and drove it home. This thing at 45 in a similar accident would put me in a box.
How can the Highway Institute crap about so many moder cars being unsatisfactory but not speak out here?
A moderate off set crash here would easily relate to a fatality.
Motorcycles are totally legal to drive on public roads and many may argue are way less safe, what’s the difference?
They are not the same as 4 wheeled rules.
When it comes to 4 wheel vehicles how can you demand these major crash test on them and noting on these.
To be honest it would be a matter of time some lawyers will drive these out with lawsuits.
The truck above could never pass federal bumper test let alone any other test.
At least on a bike you might get thrown clean with a broken hip vs crushed in a shell dead.
I’d much rather take my chances INSIDE a vehicle than ON a vehicle!
“Might get thrown clear” is one of the biggest myths out there. I remember when people used to use that as an excuse not to wear seat belts. A few weeks ago, I witnessed a horrendous motorcycle accident right in front of me. The rider ran off the road all by himself when passing a car in front of me and was thrown clear…right into a utility pole. I still can’t unsee it. Clearly, if people are allowed to ride motorcycles on the street they should be allowed to drive kei cars too, as long as they can do the speed limit. I wouldn’t be caught dead (oops) on/in either one, but this is still a free country, at least for now.
By your logic, pretty much any Jeep CJ up to the 7, and then the first Wranglers of the 80’s shouldn’t be on the road either (no crumple zones, inadequate rollover protection, no doors), yet they are perfectly fine to own and drive. Don’t let your hate of these blind you to how what you advocate would decimate the ability to drive a variety of vintage and even modern vehicles both domestic and foreign. Example, an import ban on these for safety reasons would likewise stop anyone from enjoying a classic VW Bug, Morgan 3 wheeler or original Honda Civics. How is this any less safe in an accident than a Polaris Slingshot, which would basically get flattened by anything larger than a sedan in an accident?
Reminds me of a comment I heard a while back at a car show. Guy looking at a (original) Mini Cooper says “I wouldn’t want to be in one of those and get hit by a Semi…” True enough, but exactly what sort of vehicle would you want to be in when hit by a 40 or 50 ton rig? Unless you’re in an M1 tank, whether you’re on a Vespa or in a Ford Excursion, you lose! If you ride a motorcycle, drive an old Jeep, or a little Kei vehicle, you accept the fact the laws of physics aren’t on your side. It’s still a free country.
I don’t think anyone wanted to be hit by a semi, even if I was driving an m1.
What do you mean an “uneasy truce in Texas”? We were able to convince the TxDMV to fully reverse their prior ban and allow unrestricted use of Kei vehicles on the road in Texas. Nothing uneasy about it.
I don’t get it either. Anyway I see no problem with Kei cars in the USA. They fill a niche that is not served by current vehicles. There are plenty of far less safe vehicles that are perfectly fine on the roads so why no have Kei cars too.
I don’t understand this whole debate. People have been importing and driving 602cc (or even smaller) Citroën 2CVs for decades, without any restrictions.
But now the RMV wants to ban all cars older that 25 years. They created a sweeping rule that banned all Japanese market cars/trucks that were imported legally.
I got my license in Oct 1972. I’ve never had a ticket or a wreck in or on anything- including a dozen motorcycles, a dozen “fancy” old restored cars and drove a school bus full time, part time and substitute for over 50 years (with a CDL). I won’t mention the two dozen cargo ships, ore carriers, tugs, tankers and container ships I helmed as an Able Seaman for 8 years.
My daily driver for the past 3 years is a 1997 Honda ACTY mini-truck. I love it. But I’m careful!
Just sayin’…
Right Hand Drive cars are unsafe in the US. I saw a RHD JDM Skyline stuck behind a residential trash truck that stopped every 100 feet or less to automatically lift to empty each home’s trash container. Double yellow, morning rush hour, the driver in the RHD car had no way to pass because he couldn’t see oncoming 40mph traffic. Huge backup. Zero vision around trash truck. Do or die…
Sounds to me like the drive of the RHD car *was* being safe. The result was inconvenience, not a lack of safety.
In Britain and Europe the location of the controls is not that big of a deal.
The truth is that not that many people want a 25 year old vehicle to drive around with. That and they aren’t that cheap. I could buy a 25 year old Ranger or S-10 for what my brother paid for his Kei truck easily, and for most that would be much handier (and safer) vehicle. He bought it for farm use, but registered so he can legally run short errands. It’s handy on the farm, 4×4 and goes places even an older Ranger can’t. There were only a little over 7500 of the trucks imported last year, and those were spread across the US. it’s not like there will ever be one around every corner!
My Honda Acty looks like brand new. I paid only 5k.
5 speed, 4WD. I get 30-40mpg. Tagged and insured.
It’s as easy to work on as a lawn mower. Parts are cheap and readily available. It’s all steel. Very little plastic. Tough as a tank. Easy to load and unload. I can put a 1000lb roll of hay in it and it barely squats.
I measured the bed- It’s an inch wider and two inches longer than my son’s 2018 F150.
my only complaint id no a/c. But I grew up without it.
This is a great example of a small group of people creating an environment where they peacefully expressed their feelings.
Just think of what the car culture would be like if more people got involved!
Has anybody ever attended a court hearing about a 5 mile an hour crash with major injuries. Laughable. The aftermath was dire in a US made car with a 5 mile an hour crash compliant bumper.