Would brand new little kei cars in America need to adhere to the same safety and emissions regulations as “normal” cars? That, more than anything, might be where Kei cars won’t work in America, but side-by-side type vehicles could. I do think that rigid doors could be made for far, far less than the nearly $1000 per unit some makers charge for these things now; once again volume is the driver here. Don’t kid yourself about kei car abilities; they’re great for certain uses, but they’re limited. You can’t argue with the facts; it’s probably quite unlikely that Kei cars are coming to America, and even more unlikely that they’ll be built here.

Source: Washington Post December 22, 2025 18:26 UTC