Tiny Japanese cars in America?

Pros: They are cheap, $10K new, $5 K used.

Cons: Tiny, 600 cc engines so not exactly roaring acceleration. In an accident they will be squashed like a bug. Also need a lot of time to pass National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards, possibly need contentious changes. Not to mention they are cheap so manufacturers won’t be interested in making them.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/06/climate/could-president-trump-bring-japans-tiny-cars-to-america-not-so-fast.html

Would customers buy a tiny, affordable car? The average price of a new car in America now exceeds $50,000, according to Kelley Blue Book, so I think there would be consumer interest in a “kei” car to get from Point A to Point B.

Wendy

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1970/71 Honda Z600 | Jay Leno’s Garage

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nOutIHSbEc]

Some people will be squashed like a bug.

If bugs dove off a bridge would you dive off a bridge? Famous mangled quote from the 60s.