"That news came in the middle of a press conference about the Trump administration relaxing fuel economy rules a change that will make it easier for Americans to buy more of the big, fuel-guzzling trucks and SUVs that car buyers love. Trump's endorsement surprised, delighted and somewhat confused American kei car enthusiasts. It is not actually illegal to build tiny cars for the U.S. auto market."
"An antique exemption Kei cars, trucks and vans are very popular in Japan. But while new models might meet Japan's safety standards for things like airbags and seat belts, they're not designed to meet the very specific U.S. requirements. So they can't be imported and driven in the U.S. unless they're at least 25 years old, which qualifies them as an antique and exempt from federal safety"
President Trump authorized the transportation secretary to approve production of very small Japanese-style "kei" cars for the United States. Kei cars are extremely small and popular in Japan, but many foreign-built models do not meet specific U.S. safety requirements. Importation is restricted unless vehicles are at least 25 years old and qualify as antiques, which exempts them from federal safety rules. Manufacturers could build kei-style cars to U.S. standards, but automakers prioritize larger trucks and SUVs because of American consumer demand. Enthusiasts expressed surprise and hope that regulatory or industry changes might increase domestic availability of tiny cars.
Read at www.npr.org
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