The ‘kei’ cars and trucks are growing in popularity in the U.S. But many states have explicitly banned them in recent years. A bill at the statehouse would allow them on Colorado roads.
In many export markets kei trucks are sold with larger engines than is mandated by the keijidousha regulations of Japan, and come in left hand drive. For example here’s the Suzuki Carry in one export market. These international variants might be more suitable for the US market.
The trucks appeal is its utility. The bed is lower than any US truck. the sides and tail drop down for easy access. The bed is just as big as a regular truck. They often come in 4WD. The engine is tiny so they sip gasoline. Most important is they are very cheap.
That’s kinda what I was thinking but maybe there’s something I am missing.
At least for me, the appeal of these trucks is that they’re old Japanese trucks that were going to be destroyed otherwise. If I was just getting a new commercial vehicle then I’d just get a van that people can’t steal stuff from as easily.
In the US it might have a lower value. In Japan it’s perfect as a “city van” - cities are packed very dense, so you don’t need to drive too long with a lot of deliveries. This just does the job. If you need to go off-road or between cities, you get a proper truck/van.
In many export markets kei trucks are sold with larger engines than is mandated by the keijidousha regulations of Japan, and come in left hand drive. For example here’s the Suzuki Carry in one export market. These international variants might be more suitable for the US market.
What’s the point of one of these over a small commercial van?
They sell small commercial vans too.
The trucks appeal is its utility. The bed is lower than any US truck. the sides and tail drop down for easy access. The bed is just as big as a regular truck. They often come in 4WD. The engine is tiny so they sip gasoline. Most important is they are very cheap.
I think it’s the same thing with the ‘tiny house’ craze a few years back.
Affluent neo-liberals like to use their excess wealth to buy small things for big prices.
There are thousands of tiny homes in my province, occupied by people who would otherwise be living rough.
Maybe it’s because they’re bad with money.
If they’re living on a budget, buying a tiny home is one of the worst decisions they can make!
That’s kinda what I was thinking but maybe there’s something I am missing.
At least for me, the appeal of these trucks is that they’re old Japanese trucks that were going to be destroyed otherwise. If I was just getting a new commercial vehicle then I’d just get a van that people can’t steal stuff from as easily.
In the US it might have a lower value. In Japan it’s perfect as a “city van” - cities are packed very dense, so you don’t need to drive too long with a lot of deliveries. This just does the job. If you need to go off-road or between cities, you get a proper truck/van.