APRIL 1st NEWS! JAPAN'S TINY MICRO "KEI" CARS ARE NOW LEGAL & CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN THE US & CANADA!

[@AutomotivePress]

Hi everyone - sorry to make this announcement, but yes, this is April 1st video so it's actually not true. Like everyone else, I wished it was happening though! Thank you for letting me have a bit of fun again, you guys are good sport!

[@rightlanehog3151]

😂

[@jumadepe]

Not funny! I believe this until today!

[@flyingsoulshigh]

try to reach next us candidates to lift that nonsense monopolistic ban which makes rich american petroheads and car tycoons richer and richer and us poorer and poorer

[@instantchow]

Boooo

[@ShaodiHuang]

Me watching this 4 months after April: 😃 Me reading this comment and realizing: 🙃

[@Toby_Flenderson_1982]

This could annihilate the traditional US auto market. I’m all for it. We need this pressure to get prices and size back down.

[@naotanandaba2368]

Additionally, it would destroy the American car industry, but to that, I say good riddance. Sleazy bastards should’ve gone under ages ago.

[@281cu6]

It's US regulations that drove prices up. There's a lot of safety and EPA regs that are making US cars larger and larger every year. Believe it or not, the EPA cares mostly about wheelbase size instead of actual MPG. These kei cars skirt the regulations. The only thing that will bring new car prices down in the US is when regulators ease up.

[@drew8642]

Amen new car prices are way too high for average folks. Game on. Ever wonder why Toyota Hilux and other diesels aren’t allowed here?? Lobbyist payoffs to prevent competition with the USA truck builders I assume. Yeah and the USA automakers love cheap foreign labor but fix the market place for their own advantage screw that!

[@markkiyabu2805]

I hope Toyota, Honda & Suzuki will import micro Vans to the u.s.

[@juri2001]

don't think americans will buy them

[@tontolinification]

Susuki already left the American market

[@Carlinisalive]

@@juri2001 I’m American and I will I love these cars they make so much sense

[@gnnascarfan2410]

@@juri2001 I would not own a car if I didn't have to but since I essentially do right now I would absolutely buy one of these smaller cars.

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

I would totally buy one.

[@tmwei396]

I would love to be able to get a Jimny here in the US.

[@GreaseWood-px4gk]

👍💯💯💯

[@byhsu6140]

That Jimny is really nice, i see a lot of them in Guatemala.

[@charliebrown2103]

This is amazing news not just for all the cool kei cars out there now available but hopefully brings more affordable options for people.

[@gs98999]

April 1

[@lamesamelame]

I'd buy a Suzuki Jimny 😁

[@megacap55]

Was discontinued the Suzuki jimny since the higher emissions of the engine had to discontinue the manufacturing and got reintroduced as commercial vehicle ( without rear seats and a separation for the cargo area) making pass the European emissions laws

[@07734YYC]

Thanks for the video David, enjoyed it as much as your other videos. I want to be optimistic but I'm seriously thinking this is an April Fool's joke. 😅

[@DLewis-pc2op]

Thanks for keeping us updated.......great job David...........

[@mrod54]

Curious that this should come out on April 1st. 😁

[@tomposti6361]

🤣Too bad it's April's fool day. Otherwise I'd be dancing in the street! Thank you for the Kei Car sympathy gathering piece! Let the manufacturers know about our dreams here in Canada.

[@Darkice77]

I lived in Japan for 3 years while in the Marines and i loved the Kei cars. I had a Daihatsu van that was super tiny. I really miss it.

[@jimmypham2487]

It’s April fools day you’re joking

[@michaelwright1602]

I hope not…

[@jimmypham2487]

Not gonna happen

[@4gedcarbon537]

I hope this is true! Suzuki Jimny please!!

[@vx6771]

I had a Jimny for many years. Super reliable, great around the city and could be parked anywhere. 😊

[@nismobeach]

Awesome news. My daily driver is a Scion IQ and I absolutely love it. My coworker really wants a Jimny so hopefully he'll be able to buy one soon.

[@jimmypham2487]

It’s April fools day it’s not gonna happen

[@lgwappo]

2024. Where are they?

[@bjosch4365]

You had me until around 3 minutes in … when the thinking part of my brain finally kicked in and … April Fool’s Day!! 😅

[@bijanshahidi3933]

Thanks and I do will buy as well.the Jimini 4 door 4x4 as soon as available.

[@billymcc1119]

It almost seems to good to be true. Are you sure this is not an April fools joke?😊

[@jamfoxs]

Wish it was true.. I recently drove a Honda N box with awd in Japan and was pretty comfortable on the highway. Did suprisingly well in the snow too. Really makes you think what we are missing out here in NA

[@wallochdm1]

i just returned from 13 days in Japan, and was very impressed by the wide variety of Kei cars I saw, especially the small 4x4s and vans.These make so much sense, especially in an urban environment. The vans were especially impressive, and omnipresent, especially in outer areas like Takayama, where I spent a few days. The two-tone and pastel colored vans would be a huge hit here, and I fell in love with the Honda N-Series in particular. Hopefully, the Japanese car companies see the huge potential market for these and start producing LHD models for export. The variety is truly astounding.

[@JohnSmith-mi8ov]

This is an April Fools prank.😂😂

[@camilopaulino6069]

Is this an April fool's joke? I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else. Great news if true

[@yacobh3772]

This is April 1!

[@geralde3355]

I hope this isn't an April Fools joke because i would love to have a Kei car.

[@MH-rl9ep]

I’m thinking this is April Fool’s as well. Cruel joke if it is, as Jimny’s and the like, as well as small vans would be awesome.

[@_mindhuman]

I’ve been wanting a Suzuki Jimmy for 2 years. I wish they would sell in in the U.S. I went to El Salvador this summer and they were everywhere, cool freaking cars!

[@RussellHank-t3t]

I'm very interested in a tiny kei car for my work commute. Having one with a warranty would be awesome. I'm already planning to shorten my Ford Ranger until it is just a little more than the cab with a battery system behind my seat and the front end and wheels brought just in front of my windshield. I don't know how legal it will be but I'm gonna find out if I can't get something about the size of a Smart Fortwo but with a little more refinement.

[@jollygreen4662]

Honda fit 2023 hybrid import coming in lol. What’s the website to order?

[@ciello___8307]

The fit is not a kei car. Kei cars have 0.6 litre engine size and are more compact than the fit

[@aldomassa7473]

Excellence as always David ! I just realized….. I’m addicted to this channel 😮 Thanks David, be well 😊

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, I was wondering what you had planned for April Fools Day. 😉

[@joshuathomas8529]

I have to ask, I am 6 foot 2inches tall would I be able to fit in a K car?

[@jamesrecknor6752]

Some new mini trucks were imported and sold new in the 1970s for a short time. There was a dealership in my neighborhood, Suzuki 2 cylinder {?} cab over engine trucks. Colorado

[@talhazoardar]

What could be the price for Suzuki Jimny?

[@Skunkhunt_42]

Legal to operate these on the US road ways?

[@Robiruu]

Does this mean we dont have to wait the full 25 years for the honda s660?... or is it for the year it was passed on and onward only? 👀👀

[@MichaelAllen-td1uu]

I just imported a 1991 Honda Acty AWD van. Loving it.

[@robertrubel]

David, I know it’s different but this reminds me of when we first got the Datsun 240 Z. This could be exciting. But, when we got the 240 Z, it was not April 1. 😅

[@michaelbuerhaus8409]

David, will they be left-hand drive with the new NA opening up for the kei cars?

[@ericblanchet5149]

is the KEI car will be right hand drive or left hand drive?

[@wallochdm1]

Let me add that this would be an incredible opportunity for Suzuki to re-enter the North American market. The Spacia is an incredible van, and David already mentioned the Jimny. Unlike their last offerings. like the truly weird X-90, the current model line would be a huge hit. Suzuki makes excellent products on a par with Honda and Toyota. Yes, this warms my heart too!!

[@fifthward1983]

jimny would sell well and maybe a micro mini pickup 2 door long bed.

[@michaeldesilvio221]

I'd like to see a comeback of the old cycle cars. They'd be perfect for local transportation.

[@holmiumh]

Wow, Just amazing.

[@dtna]

I live in Brea, CA and didn't know that Suzuki was still making cars and trucks. Have not seen one in 15+ years. 😮

[@weetbix2083]

Thats because America is more backwards than a third world country when it comes to automobiles.

[@wusanji]

Does this include kei trucks or just the kei cars?

[@peterb7585]

Would a Jimmy left hand drive be coming now? I totally need one and want one lol hehehe...

[@jimmypham2487]

*Jimny

[@g7sky]

this is great --- one ? will they be left or right hand drive cars?

[@shaneh734]

Awesome! I’m excited for the 2-door and 4-door Jimny and a new version of the Honda S660 manual transmission 💯🎉

[@josesolano1300]

I WANT A JIMNY!!!!

[@michaelbeggs2013]

I am an American retired in the Philippines. I am very happy with my Suzuki kei minivan that I bought here. There is a large industry here which will customize these cars into anything you want. Here in the Philippines they convert them to left hand drive.

[@BrogeKilrain]

Let us know when and how to Import ourselves

[@fm-hy2bb]

Is there an update on this? Can we now import new kei cars from Japan to the US?

[@takai_netto]

日本からコメントします 私は日本に住んでいる日本人ですが、日本の軽自動車の良さを、カナダを始め世界中の皆さんに紹介していただいてたいへんうれしく思っています。

[@timmiller7589]

Might look cute and cool, but here in the US, when a large SUV or lifted truck rolls up, it’s different story. I get nervous in my RAV4 seeing a TUNDRA or 2500/3500 series vehicle with a 6” lift come bearing down on me 😮😂

[@NoodlesExtraMSG]

Aprils Fools? But I hope its real!! IF I could, I would buy 5 of them and make one Mecha. In all seriousness, yes, Suzuki needs to work to restablish their dealers and work with its own motorcycle dealers . Partnering with another brand that also sells Kei cars will probably not work. Then $ people pay for old suzuki samurai, sidekicks, geo trackers , etc. Shows there is a collectors demand. Also, the used car market being in shambles, people will finally be willing to risk a kei car, even if its slighly dangerous in US 75MPH highways. THE great MPGs within the towns/cities, will be amazing.

[@wackyrick2103]

What about importing a used Jimny to Canada, will we still have to wait 15 years?

[@dougnapoltes1036]

As someone who owned a Scion xB (Toyota bB), which is a little larger than a kei, I would love another small car to just go around my town. I’d love a Daihatsu Wake, or a Toyota Tank, or a Honda N-Box Custom, or a Daihatsu Tanto Custom. 😊

[@godofstones]

Let's go Suzuki Jimmy! Tbh honest though, more options for less expensive cars is welcome. Spending >25k for a new basic car is not a great deal.

[@alejandroveganussgen6569]

In Mexico Suzuki has been selling the Jimny for the past 3 years or so, but the supply is so limited that it's practically impossible to buy a new one at the dealer. They're being sold used for a higher price than the sticker price. With such limited supply, I doubt they will be made available in the US or Canadian markets.

[@jfish9014]

Ugh - buzz kill. I would totally buy a Jimny

[@alejandroveganussgen6569]

@@jfish9014 I know! I've been wanting to buy one for the past 2 years but I'm not going to pay 20% above sticker price for a used one to do so. Perhaps Suzuki will start up a new Jimney manufacturing plant to increase supply! :D

[@michaelwright1602]

I want a Jimmy! They sell them in Mexico, and about time!

[@jimmypham2487]

Not gonna happen

[@leahd4878]

🎉 so excited!

[@evensenj5670]

Left hand steering?

[@wyatt_taco4]

How is this not an April Fool's gag?

[@DocJ58-OCB]

Sounds great, except now they will become hugely expensive, just like all the cars and trucks that are now available now.

[@michaela1655]

happy April Fools Day!!!!!!!!!

[@allenchitwood493]

David, I’m purchasing the 2023 Lexus GX460 later this year. How late will the Tahara Plant build these? I need to wait until October. Can I still get one? Please help!

[@mindsunwound]

When?

[@pepymunson2832]

I really want one! Wish it was true. You broke my heart 💔😂😂

[@Minusroot8]

I was waiting for the “April Fools” but if this is real I want the Daihatsu Copen!! I was looking at a Mazda MX-5 but now I’ll wait for more news! Thanks David.

[@ma717mgte]

I miss my old daihatsu charade!

[@josephdiaz3078]

When will the new little cars coming to America

[@Nick2JZ]

Omg this is great news....I loves Kei cars. Yes warmed my heart!

[@jimmypham2487]

Not gonna happen it’s April fools

[@197008]

Great News, one of the biggest modification though would be left hand drive!

[@javieralonzo2084]

Thanks for sharing this big news, I'm a big fan of these micro vehicles, I hope the dealerships will agree to this news.

[@saltyt.1886]

David - that was a great video! A quick Google search reveals you are the only one making this statement, yet you don’t mention “how” this is now legal or what has changed to make the NEW Kei cars legal in the NA market. I think you just forgot to add APRIL FOOLS in the end of the video! 😂

[@Zofirael]

I'm from Canada and can't find anything on the internet about this... it seems that the 15 years and older car rule to import is still the only one.

[@AutomotivePress]

This was last year's April Fool's post...

[@TheFire515]

VERY EXCITED 🎉

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

I'm Canadian and I loath trucks and SUVs. The first car I ever fall in love with is the original Mini Cooper S. The first car I ever drove and loved was a friend's tiny 1970 something Honda Civic.

[@FazerGS]

Can anybody find an actual news article verifying this info? I can't find anything about it, and other Kei Car videos made after this one still mention the 25-year law. Since I live in California I don't think I'll be able to get a Kei Car to drive legally on the highway anyways, but I'd still like to be able to research from the primary source.

[@milliedragon4418]

It was April fool's joke last year, if anything is going in the opposite direction, many states are pulling registration off of already registered legal Kei cars.

[@FazerGS]

​@@milliedragon4418Ah, thanks. I'm just now seeing the pinned comment. I feel dumb, lol.

[@FazerGS]

​@@milliedragon4418Ah, thanks. I'm just now seeing the pinned comment. I feel dumb, lol.

[@miriamvivo4279]

Suzuki jimmy for me

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

The Ford Maverick already feels like a Kei car and those things sell pretty well. And I think Toyota would do well to make/import a smaller Tacoma.

[@yamkaw346]

The maverick is wayyyyy bigger than any lei car…

[@Mae11183]

Suzuki would make so much money selling in the u.s.a

[@richardfadera]

This is really good news. I hope this video is not for April Fool’s Day. I googled it and didn’t find anything related to the news.

[@tonybologna2019]

Can you source one yourself and buy it? Or do you have to buy from an authorized dealer? I would love to buy a jimny!

[@turkey0165]

Reminds me of the country song by Big and Rich, " Comming To Your City " I'm glad Detroit is in for a big Wake Up!

[@Danzel-n3n]

Well, fun fact in the 1960s and 70s we got small tiny K cars like the Subaru 360 and die Hatsu fellow max but the stupid emission control regulations killed them off and also auto manufacturers killed them off We also got the 1980s Daju high gent because the 1980s were a real weird time we got the 1980s I had to hide jet but the problem was is that we couldn’t register them back then they were only meant for off-road use and why would you buy a car Like that if it’s only meant for off-road use? it doesn’t make sense they should have let people register them but in the 80s and 90s as well. As in 2000s we got cars such as the wildfire WF 650 C as well as wildfire WF 650 T as well as Snyder ST 600 C and we got an electric one which was called zap zebra but in 2013 they killed it all and these cars were registered as motorcycles, but the EPA system decided to kill off these cars and that’s why we can’t have small cars like this anymore

[@KikuM888]

Sugoi! Would love a Kei Camper!

[@zzzz2768]

All good, but.. What's the safety rating, mpg, prices . Unfortunately in 🇺🇸 there are many SUVs, big Trucks, and Rigs payloads and speeds r not as limited or monitor ed in Japan or Europe, and the reason Americans buy huge SUVs, Trucks, safety combined w utility, space and luxury.

[@unebonnevie]

The USA makes it very hard to get small ICE cars or EVs from other country, because our govt wants to sell us expensive/gas-guzzlers for tax revenues! That HONDA N ONE is really good!

[@g.r.2985]

This is great news, and I’d love to have a Jimny, but in regards crash worthiness, would hate to see the results and survivability of Jimny (of any of the others) vs. the biggest selling vehicle F-150, let alone any of its bigger brothers 250, 350, 450, etc. or any of the other big trucks on the road, 😢. The fact is there too many “trucks” being bought by ppl who don’t need them and want them only to feel safer vs. other traffic. Would like to know your thoughts on this, David?

[@g.r.2985]

Then I realized it’s April 1st!!! Nice one David 😂😂!

[@FJUH]

That’s great news!!! The Jimny would sell incredibly well. Come on Suzuki!! Get selling in NA!!!

[@GreaseWood-px4gk]

This is awesome! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@rodrigosouto9502]

Great news!!!

[@adamdean5881]

The Jimmy looks very appealing. I hope these make it to the U.S. market

[@jimmypham2487]

No it’s just April fools day

[@Danzel-n3n]

I can’t wait to buy the new 2024 Daihatsu high jet in the US

[@jimmywhitlow2012]

I will definitely buy one. 😊

[@User.Joshua]

AH! I dream of a little Toyota hybrid Kei car.

[@emikami1]

What was today's date anyway?

[@user-qg2zl2cm6j]

I want to live a long healthy life. So I never want to drive this car.

[@deannbabs902]

🤞Jimny 🤞