Automobile Enthusiasts

question everything

(49,426 posts) Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:42 PM Dec 18

'What Is That Thing?' Tiny Trucks Are Causing Big Fights.

In the land of big trucks, a tiny pickup is stealing drivers’ hearts. Now owners of the little haulers from Japan say they’re being driven off the road.

Kei trucks are smaller than a Volkswagen Beetle and powered by an engine commonly found in motorcycles, but they have beds as large as a full-size pickup from Detroit. The combination of size and utility are virtues in their home country, where both land and natural resources are scarce.

Lately they have taken off in the U.S., where owners say they do nearly everything that bigger pickups can do and come with additional features—like being super sweet and making other drivers jealous. Even in states like Texas, where bigger is almost always better, kei trucks are flying off lots.

(snip)

But many states are barring them from public motorways because regulators say they are too fragile to share the road with American-sized automobiles. Kei truck superfans say size prejudice is at play and they’re revving up for a fight.

More..

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/pickup-truck-drivers-kei-japan-honda-693effd4?st=h6xiJv&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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21 replies

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Highlight:

'What Is That Thing?' Tiny Trucks Are Causing Big Fights. (Original Post) question everything Dec 18 OP

Unsafe at any speed YorkRd Dec 18 #1

So is a motorcycle BWdem4life Dec 19 #15

I saw one of these the other day dweller Dec 18 #2

The big auto makers are clearly scared of these things Mosby Dec 18 #3

Why ?, they are at least 25 years old. MichMan Dec 18 #7

Wait until they outfit them with doolies, A/C, V-8 turbocharged engines and heavy duty springs! Wonder Why Dec 18 #4

designed with a top speed of 50mph in mind. stopdiggin Dec 18 #5

Don't interstate highways have a "minimum" speed allowed? If you drive less than 50 or..... EarnestPutz Dec 21 #19

they do. stopdiggin Dec 21 #20

"regulators say they are too fragile " but But BUT you can drive an old Model T down the road with no problems... mitch96 Dec 18 #6

No one is driving a 100 year old Model T around for routine transportation MichMan Dec 18 #9

You haven't met my friend HariSeldon Dec 19 #13

Like I said, Ok around town but not on highways. I live in a quirky town that has all kinds of unique auto's mitch96 Dec 19 #17

I worked on a golf course during summers while in High School Bristlecone Dec 18 #8

Too fragile?? HighFired49 Dec 18 #10

we have a few of those on the Big Island proud patriot Dec 19 #11

We saw a bunch of them on our visit to Hawaii. They really are cute. I like to think.... EarnestPutz Dec 22 #21

Can't they just keep them off the highways? LisaM Dec 19 #12

Local roads should be fine, like golf carts, scooters, bicycles, etc. IronLionZion Dec 19 #14

How many miles per gallon? Emile Dec 19 #16

These things are cool. How about a commuter car next? Auggie Dec 19 #18

YorkRd

(368 posts)

1. Unsafe at any speed

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:49 PM

Dec 18

BWdem4life

(2,504 posts)

15. So is a motorcycle

Reply to YorkRd (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 19, 2024, 01:34 AM

Dec 19

Why let them on the road? If you’re gonna let motorcycles on the road, why not this truck?

dweller

(25,339 posts)

2. I saw one of these the other day

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:50 PM

Dec 18

Its size didn’t bother me , and thought it was a good idea .
Some ppl like smaller cars/trucks , are not hung up on size issues 🤏

✌🏻

Mosby

(17,928 posts)

3. The big auto makers are clearly scared of these things

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:53 PM

Dec 18

The politicians banning these vehicles need to be exposed and shamed.

MichMan

(13,916 posts)

7. Why ?, they are at least 25 years old.

Reply to Mosby (Reply #3)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:24 PM

Dec 18

Wonder Why

(4,849 posts)

4. Wait until they outfit them with doolies, A/C, V-8 turbocharged engines and heavy duty springs!

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:59 PM

Dec 18

Then add oversized tires, automatic everything including tailgates, optional rear lifts to load cargo and more! They will really be cool! And expensive!

stopdiggin

(13,225 posts)

5. designed with a top speed of 50mph in mind.

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:04 PM

Dec 18

things are REALLY not supposed to be out on the highway. (and that's assuming the more friendly and forgiving type of blacktop)

Look - I routinely have to bump my speed up to 70-75 just in order to not impede traffic flow - on the way home from the grocery! Now imagine somebody poking along at 55 - in an egg carton - just daring the dualies and 18 wheelers - going with the regular traffic flow, at +15-20 faster ... It's a matter of basic safety. For everyone!

EarnestPutz

(2,733 posts)

19. Don't interstate highways have a "minimum" speed allowed? If you drive less than 50 or.....

Reply to stopdiggin (Reply #5)

Sat Dec 21, 2024, 05:55 PM

Dec 21

55 you can be ticketed. Seems that would solve a lot of problems.

stopdiggin

(13,225 posts)

20. they do.

Reply to EarnestPutz (Reply #19)

Sat Dec 21, 2024, 10:20 PM

Dec 21

and my point being, that actually drive this speed (particularly in a small 'egg carton') is to present a danger not only to self, but to fellow travelers.

Driving these smallish vehicles in an environment and on roadways where they are suited doesn't really bother me - (and perhaps could be encouraged for the good sense and thrift that they represent. ) Interstate and highways - I have real doubts. And my concern is further engaged - by knowing fully well that a certain portion of the driving public, exercise virtually no degree of care or common sense. There are people out there that would literally drive a golf cart or a riding mower on the freeway - if they could get away with it.

mitch96

(14,876 posts)

6. "regulators say they are too fragile " but But BUT you can drive an old Model T down the road with no problems...

Reply to question everything (Original post)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:16 PM

Dec 18

Here in Florida each county seems to have it's own rules. In my town It's ok but not on any major Highways.. Kinda sorta like street legal golf carts are ok on local roads..I've seen a few pickups and small vans.. Four wheel drive and two wheel drive...
https://minitrucks.net/collections/vehicles

MichMan

(13,916 posts)

9. No one is driving a 100 year old Model T around for routine transportation

Reply to mitch96 (Reply #6)

Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:27 PM

Dec 18

and certainly not on any major roads and highways

HariSeldon

(514 posts)

13. You haven't met my friend

Reply to MichMan (Reply #9)

Thu Dec 19, 2024, 12:18 AM

Dec 19

He'd rather drive his T than his truck.

mitch96

(14,876 posts)

17. Like I said, Ok around town but not on highways. I live in a quirky town that has all kinds of unique auto's

Reply to MichMan (Reply #9)

Thu Dec 19, 2024, 11:40 AM

Dec 19

running around. Lots of car shows on the weekends and holidays. Model T for everyday transport?
Nope and neither Kei trucks/cars either. I bet the Kei trucks are safer than the old "T"..
I would love to get a Kei van but I have no where to put it.. BTW they are all right hand drive..