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 Vevhicle 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.
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.
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 understand this whole debate. People have been importing and driving 602cc (or even smaller) Citroën 2CVs for decades, without any restrictions.