Former President Trump has voiced a strong interest in introducing Japan's distinctive Kei cars to the American automotive landscape. During a briefing concerning the easing of fuel efficiency standards, Trump lauded these miniature vehicles, referring to them as "really cute" and drawing parallels to the classic Volkswagen Beetle. He has explicitly directed the Secretary of Transportation to expedite the approval process for their production and sale within the United States. This initiative, however, confronts considerable regulatory complexities.
Kei cars, characterized by their compact dimensions and restricted engine displacement and power output, are designed to meet specific Japanese governmental regulations. While they hold a niche following in the U.S., their inherent size and safety specifications diverge significantly from American automotive standards. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed receiving the directive to streamline regulations, stating that "the deck has been cleared" for manufacturers like Toyota to produce and sell smaller, more fuel-efficient cars in America. Yet, the specific federal regulations slated for modification to accommodate Kei car manufacturing in the U.S. have not been clearly delineated.
A primary impediment to the widespread adoption of new Kei cars in the United States lies within the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This extensive document, spanning 1,400 pages, details intricate design and safety requirements for vehicles sold in the country. It covers everything from structural integrity during collisions to the precise movement of a steering wheel upon impact. Kei cars, by design, typically do not conform to these rigorous safety mandates. While certain specialized vehicles, such as track-only models, bypass these regulations, their limited road legality in most states underscores the challenge.
Beyond federal guidelines, individual states also impose their own vehicle registration criteria, often mandating adherence to FMVSS for new cars. Although some states permit the use of non-compliant vehicles, like golf carts, on public roads with specific limitations, a blanket approval for Kei cars would necessitate a comprehensive overhaul of existing laws. As of the time of reporting, the federal safety standards have not been officially altered to reflect Trump's recent directive, with the last update occurring in March. Attempts to gather further clarification from the transportation secretary's public affairs office yielded a request for emailed inquiries, indicating the ongoing nature of this policy discussion.
