Massachusetts RMV reverses ban on Kei cars following pushback

[@WillWonkeyTertel]

Yes I can see why they are a problem. They are affordable, reliable and easy to fix. That's a auto companies worst nightmare.

[@bobroberts2371]

I agree, these small cars are really going to cut into the 4 door full sized pickup market and should be banned world wide.

[@ashd.6989]

This is why I generally buy Japanese. More emphasis on quality than anything else usually

[@nodak81]

@@ashd.6989 Not nearly as true as it used to be. These days all the brands suck. I had a 2023 Camry with a bad transmission that they finally bought back from me and a friend has a Tundra with only 5k miles that needs the engine replaced. Kei cars are good because most of them are from the 90's when Japanese cars were at their finest.

[@justindake]

20 year old Toyotas do more to cut into the modern truck market that kei trucks do

[@ashd.6989]

@@nodak81 true

[@claytonsanders508]

“One nonprofit” aka Big Automakers that don’t want Americans to be able to buy affordable cars.

[@garysgarage.2841]

It's not affordable it's about 10k after all is said and done and it's basically a gas golf cart

[@guameldestruir6239]

@@garysgarage.2841 Yeah its not affordable because of the big 3 American automakers forcing insane import laws through their lobbyists in congress. If things were free and fair you could the new K-cars for around 10k, and they are just as advanced as new vehicles just slightly smaller. The cheapest new vehicle in the american market is 20k.

[@kyle207]

The only way people are saying they are affordable is because in japan they cost around 2k but after 4k in import fees is starts to not be anymore.

[@TC-cd5sm]

“One nonprofit” aka Big Automakers that don’t want Americans to be able to buy affordable and reliable cars." Corrected

[@edu7979]

affordable cars are also known as "Used cars"

[@sidekick96734]

The 186mph Hayabusa motorcycle is legal to buy and ride in all 50 states but a Kei car is considered dangerous. Where's the logic?

[@HughesEnterprises]

Kei cars don’t bring in massive sales taxes like new cars

[@mike_w-tw6jd]

@sidekick96734 because Kei drivers aren't obnoxious?

[@pulls8]

@@mike_w-tw6jd You completely misunderstood what he meant lmao 🤦‍♂

[@MrAndreCoutinho]

These motorcycles should be banned as well.

[@PyTransformer]

There's no logic just massive corruption from big automotive.

[@AndreMonthy]

I wonder who funded that "non-profit"

[@ShadowsandCityLights]

Follow the receipts!

[@azureactivedirectory]

Truly a mystery

[@sladebrannon6917]

There you go

[@mikeymumbelz9063]

- Less crowding on roadways - More accessible parking - Cheaper to maintain - Easier on asphalt to limit roadway damage - Overall more environmentally friendly Not only should these be legal, these should be incentivized. Imagine if everyone in Los Angeles or NYC drove one of these. You'd gain hundreds of miles of parking.

[@willieverusethis]

Yes!

[@AbrahamCasillas-t3o]

It would be easier if people weren't forced on a car!

[@L154N4LG4IB]

Imagine if we could build state of the art public transportation . I think kei cars are great but they’re not a quick fix to the problems of traffic and congestion.

[@timb7775]

Sure, as you are stuck behind these things going 25mph.

[@roberttoo7783]

@@timb7775 you're clearly uneducated on this topic. Kei cars are perfectly capable of reaching the same speeds as a normal motor vehicle; because they're much lighter, they require a smaller engine, kind of like a motorcycle, but this engine still allows them to start and go at the same speeds as a normal car.

[@YTBoof]

“ safety” is a BS reason for the government to try to remove KEI cars from the road. if motorcycles can exist, then these cars can as well.

[@otakuapprentice]

So many collector vehicles are still able to drive on roads legally right now with none of the modern day safety regulations (air bags/anti-lock brakes, etc), and they consider kei cars unsafe? Bunch of crap is what it is.

[@computerfan1079]

If SUVs killing pedestrians are "safe" then these sure are safe.

[@dre3k78]

Its automobile manufactures that pay the government to ban these cars so it doesn't effect their sales of overpriced vehicles you don't even need.

[@soymilkman]

Fr. I’m way more concerned about the F-150s where their grill is literally as tall as me

[@Liialy]

Collector and historic vehicles typically are restricted to being allowed to drive only to events or are otherwise heavily limited in their annual allowed milage. So this isn't a great comparison, as it would suggest that Kei cars ought to also have restricted milage. The real issue is why are we allowing modern cars to be designed in ways that make them so unsafe for anyone not inside the vehicle. The Kei cars have much better visability and are therefore less likely to strike an object, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, or​ other vehicle simply because the driver can't see it. Additionally, their lighter weight makes same speed strikes less forceful (force = mass x acceleration). Less bulky cars may also allow the driver to better hear what is around them, sirens, bike bells, people etc. A truck once literally backed up right into my sister's baby stroller while we were walking away from a coffee shop. Thank God we didn't have the kids in the stroller at the time because this guy's truck was so big he couldn't see behind him, couldn't hear us screaming 'STOP', and couldn't comprehend that he could have hurt someone. @otakuapprentice

[@parkergray5346]

If kei cars are banned for being unsafe, they better follow suit and ban all the huge SUVs and trucks for being too dangerous

[@DR3ADER1]

Because SUVs aren't made under corrupt building practices. Again, the Daihatsu Safety scandal exposed this not too long ago. And that was going on as far back as 1989.

[@patty109109]

@@DR3ADER1corruption in Japan is the same as the United States-Google the global corruption index

[@geigertec5921]

All cars are unsafe, that's why auto insurance isn't optional, it's required because everyone will statistically be in a car accident, everyone. Think about that. You are more likely to be injured or un-alived in a car accident than anything else.

[@jool5941]

@geigertec5921 auto insurance is only mandatory for poor people. If you have enough money to cover the damages you don’t need it. For rich people insurance is more about protecting them from lawsuits or protecting the value of an asset.

[@chumpthetraitor7331]

​@@geigertec5921 it's dangerous outside you may want to crawl back into your basement

[@lkd06]

Remember the first generation Honda Civics, Datsuns and Toyotas? Tiny cars under 2,000 lbs and 40+ mpg. Bring these cars back!

[@fishimust4766]

A basic no frills 2 door Honda civic with a manual transmission would sell like hot cakes. Most working people just want a dependable good mpg car or small truck just to get to work and back.

[@Whocareslol420]

They are not as safe. A 3500 modern Honda will save you from major crashes. A GEO Metro? Probably not.

[@quackywhackityphillyb.3005]

Its not the old cars that are dangerous, its the new oversized pickup trucks that are dangerous

[@RustyZipper]

No, everyone needs a $60k suv or van. Think of the sales tax!

[@edu7979]

@@quackywhackityphillyb.3005 ^^ same for the massive SUVs

[@Tmaster2590]

The problem is not that the car is too small, it's the the cars have gotten way too huge.

[@piccalillipit9211]

My sister is on holiday in Florida - she refused to drive, she is terrified of the insanity-sized trucks. They HAVE a truck in the UK, but its the size yours were in the 70's

[@mariusfacktor3597]

@@piccalillipit9211 Everyone in Florida is driving tank-size SUVs and oversized pickup trucks with enormous blindspots. Every street and road is straight out of Mad Max. It's a mix of low IQ, insecure men, and special interest controlling government policies.

[@thestudentofficial5483]

Meanwhile a jeep from WW2 with no suspension, no crumple zone, no seatbelts, NO DOORS is perfectly fine

[@pizza4me298]

Has nothing to do with safety. It's the US auto industry not wanting competition for their 100k pickup trucks sitting unsold in dealerships across the country. If the US auto makers wanted to produce these, all of a sudden they would be found to be the safest vehicles in the world.

[@dre3k78]

Bingo. These "non profits" doing this report are just part of an Automobile manufacture's lobby wing.

[@meyague]

watch them fund polls and surveys and what have you to try to paint them as unsafe and unamerican and whatever.

[@Mystic480]

THIS!!! As GenZ I 100% agree and have seen the predatory behavior Big Auto, Big Pharma, Big Tech, and any other elitist monster groups engage in...

[@trumpet444]

The stupid CAFE standards basically force these auto manufacturers to make bigger and bigger vehicles. I’m not saying the auto industry is innocent, but government regulations are a huge part of it too.

It’s a death trap!

[@atth09]

American automakers cannot compete with 25 y/o used Japanese vehicles. Sad.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

They could do so if the regulations were different.

[@rafael_lana]

​@@unconventionalideas5683 in this case is not regulations. They pretty much molded this huge car market we're in by spending decades not spending a cent on smaller, more efficient cars in favor of the huge SUVs and trucks, for one person inside. Now they've realized they don't even are present in a potential slice of the market that exists everywhere but the US, and want to use regulation under false pretense to block competition.

[@kaing5074]

They run to daddy government every decade for bailouts while the rest of the world has left detroit in the dust. Third world country with first world incomes

[@ginyilee6538]

@@_.l58I3 nah, corp america just like huge profit margin and huge growth. No american factory is interested in making these car. The same goes to affordable housing, affordable food etc. it`s all organic and 100% more expensive with 500% markup

[@dddevildogg]

@@unconventionalideas5683 They could do so but it would add 50% to the already outrageous prices Since 1950 American Automakers have PERFECTED the car and truck too expensive to fix Regulations have forced the MPH figures that you now enjoy Regulations have made the wacky drivers survive stupid driving skills Regulations are a lame attempt at making people that make dangerous things smarten up-but it is helping lower the mortality rates

[@chinatownboy7482]

They should be legal in all 50 states.

[@jackychiwokwong]

Correct!

[@42luke93]

No, they shouldn’t. These are all death traps and cars have to pass stringent safety standards. If anything that should be like golf carts used on Farm only or off-road.

[@guameldestruir6239]

@@42luke93 They're completely fine in Tokyo and the rest of Japan. The only thing that makes these death traps is modern american trucks and SUV's that are so bloated the fat american jokes write themselves. They are meant and designed for a dense Innercity area, and they can handle low speed crashes just fine. Just don't take them out of their element (like a 70mph highway)

[@eldebtor6973]

no. these cars are extremely dangerous. especially on american roads.

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@eldebtor6973 its the fault of american roads, then.

[@timotaneous3300]

Yes, that's great news. I'm in Austin Texas and I drive a Subaru Sambar truck and it's so much fun. With the help from the owner of Mayberry Mini Trucks, TX has accepted the Kei trucks to be on the road. I've been driving for a year and a half and it's great. Good luck on all States allowing the use of Kei vehicles. Drive safe. Bless

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

I love my 1996 Daihatsu Hijet. It's a way better truck for my needs than the 4WD Tacoma that it replaced, and a lot less expensive. I wish federal regulations didn't prevent me from importing a newer Hijet that's safer, more fuel efficient and less polluting for on road use.

[@CherryColaWizard]

Maybe ban the overly large pickup trucks with horrible visibility!

[@jlui21]

--I drive a 2006 Toyota Tundra. I'd much rather prefer a KEI truck. I don't need 200hp at maybe 21mpg. (The newer Tundra is double the size my current gen). Give me a 60hp 30mpg KEI truck.

[@WCreamoreIII]

I agree 👍

[@A3Kr0n]

One nonprofit should not have that power

[@johnd.5601]

Nonprofit is the politically correct way to say that the oligarchs don't want them. Politicians don't want the American people to know that wealthy oligarchs run the government.

[@jhowardsupporter]

The government doesn't want them on the road.

[@jonnymiskatonic]

​@@jhowardsupporter No, the Automotive industry donating to the government does not want them on the road. Why allow reasonably priced, efficient vehicles to be sold here when they have $50,000+ behemoths to sell.

[@doct0rnic]

They're backed by the US auto industry

[@slinkster1772]

True!

[@infini.tesimo]

That "nonprofit" is very likely to have someone from the bigger car manufacturers freaking out that people found a reliable and usable vehicle in today's economy and tried to discourage it by just saying it's not road worthy when it very much so is.

[@WCreamoreIII]

Like the Men’s Warehouse… I guarantee it.

[@Ritzrfx]

about dang time, perfect for around town, light weight, good gas mileage, win win!!

[@CPAgamer313]

Naw

[@markcoopers1930]

And with the truck versions, the beds can be the same size or bigger than a lot of full size trucks today, You can get them with lift or dump capability, bedsides that fold away for super easy loading and many have very good payload. A lot of contractors and businesses around here have one or two they use all the time.

[@jeretso]

We can fit 3 in a pickup truck space.

[@kuebby]

They do ok but because of the small engine and gear ratios I'm not sure any of them get past 30mpg. The kei engine size limit is 660cc (raised several times over the decades).

[@ExitSignAficionado]

Terrible in collisions. They are designed for a country with an average speed limit of around 30MPH and a top speed limit of 60MPH. Japan has strict safety standards around maintenance. They also have high respect for rules of the road. Here in North America a big brodozer will mush a Kai car like a bug. My KIA soul or ford galaxie would even significantly damage these Kai cars and both of us would probably end up in the hospital because the galaxie is not a safe car either.

[@TikiHi77]

As someone who has spent years in Japan and Korea, these vehicles are great.

[@askroller]

Thanks CBS Boston for advertising small and reliable cars which will be way safer than huge pick-up trucks. And more practical

[@DAMusic-qu2ec]

It’s a Japanese car just like a friggen Toyota or a Subaru. They make good cars and they are everywhere in Japan. What more research is needed.

[@stickynorth]

Or even the Chinese who can now produce cars like the Wuling Mini for $4500 USD which gets the job done for hundreds of thousands of drivers every year over there...

[@yaash4123]

Japan has different laws than the US and very differently designed roads. While Japan isn't perfect, it's probably much better than the US for this kind of vehicle. Just think, in the US most people have very large SUVs and trucks that are very dangerous for everyone else on or near a road.

[@winzyl9546]

@@yaash4123 motorcycles

[@DAMusic-qu2ec]

@@yaash4123 so then why are motorcycles legal?

[@MaxPower-11]

I would assume the research is as to what extent they protect occupants in an accident (compared to larger-sized cars that have to comply with Federal safety crash standards).

[@jackuzi8252]

Any state that deregisters kei cars should also have to deregister all motorcycles.

[@peterbarlow8912]

Maine did that!

[@kayagorzan]

@@peterbarlow8912I can’t find anything on that apart from bikes being banned in Baxter State Park

[@peterbarlow8912]

@@kayagorzan sorry I meant Maine rescinded Kei truck registrations

[@SoupyMittens]

well don't give them any ideas

[@kayagorzan]

@@peterbarlow8912 Oh I see, thanks for the clarification

[@willb3636]

They’re not safe because gigantic 8000 pound trucks are allowed on the roads. The kei cars aren’t the problem, it’s every other large vehicle.

[@stickynorth]

Plus if you allow motorcycles on the road which have NO safety features, anything above that is an improvement. Just look at the stats alone... 20-31X more likely to die on a Chopper than in a car...

[@O1dmanwalker]

Smart car?

[@Oldschoolrules123]

Gee, but I can drive a 200 lb motorcycle on the same roadway as an 8000 lb truck.😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jeretso]

Large vehicles have little to no restrictions so we can install lift kits and battering rams.

[@Yuckyuck1870]

By that same logic ban small Mazdas, and motorcycles.

[@ZachTheMaker]

I've driven one daily on the roads in NC for 6 years. It's a great work truck. They are just as safe as my motorcycle. It's the automakers trying to sell us $50,000 -$100,000 trucks are the people who want them banned.

[@Misdirecting]

God forbid us from having something we can afford.

[@garyszewc3339]

Get out of the basement, and get a job.

[@tizodd6]

As long as motorcycles are allowed on the road, I see *ZERO* reason why a little truck wouldn't be allowed.

[@piccalillipit9211]

EXACTLY

[@timb7775]

Great logic.

[@ShadowsandCityLights]

And scooters!

[@kcmatloff5707]

how about the fact its right hand drive and you cant see when turning left across traffic?

[@jeffdumpster1470]

@@kcmatloff5707 Garbage trucks and postal trucks have that, it's not an issue.

[@louiszhang3050]

Governments be like Kei cars: TOO DANGEROUS A stainless steel refrigerator that is built to shred pedestrians and can go 0-60 in 3 seconds: *no problem!* This system sucks.

[@thedopplereffect00]

A kei car sized cyber truck would be pretty sweet

[@JaordynKnywht]

You be like a dbag……

[@UmmYeahOk]

They’re dangerous to the driver. Driving any car of similar size in a world of monster trucks and SUVs is like driving a go cart on modern streets. It’s scary. You are basically invisible. At least motor cycles have room to get out of the way, and are super obnoxiously loud so motorists know they’re somewhere, and more likely to look. I don’t understand why people think they need such massive vehicles for their family of 1-3, when the only thing they haul is groceries.

[@fastestdino2]

While I will say Kei cars are probably not as survivable as a giant block of steel on the road, I see no problem with them existing. If people want to drive a "dangerous vehicle" they should have every right to put themselves in danger since they aren't endangering others.

[@liquid_shadow8690]

Keep voting democrats and this is what you get.

[@MrTVintro]

The only reason these cars may not "be safe" is that half the other road users are driving a 4x4 tank.

[@SosukeAizenDaKid]

motorcycle are legal though

[@otroflores91]

​@@SosukeAizenDaKid and older small classic cars

[@Thomas6Anderson]

As a point of reference, I have owned THREE of the original MINI's that went out of production in 2000. (And disappeared from the US Market in 1967, and the Canadian market in 1980.) The specifications? Length: 10 Feet, ½ Inch. Weight: 1,345 pounds. We've been here before! The cars handled like they were on rails, had great braking and were actually very safe. They were designed with crumple zones to protect the passenger compartment.

[@Blitzmzx]

If this is unsafe then motorcycles are as well 😂

[@IVR02]

One point I haven't seen brought up in the face of these ridiculous Kei bans is the fact that they can only be imported if they're 25 years or older, thus qualifying them as historic. Aren't historic vehicles exempt from meeting modern safety standards? Seriously, how is a mid-90s Daihatsu seen as a death trap, but, say, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with a steering wheel that'll impale you, a metal dashboard you'll smash your head open on, no seatbelts, etc. is perfectly fine? Obviously I'm not suggesting we ban historic cars for being unsafe, I'm just saying its hypocritical to label one class of historic car as unsafe while others are fine.

[@evolutionj]

This is a great point. We have the 25 year federal law in place. Like you said It exempts safety standards, emissions etc. Yet some states give you the middle finger and say otherwise. It reminds me of our gun laws. We have federal laws in place for firearms but yet the States decide to ban or restrict what ever they feel like.

[@alb12345672]

Same way a 2015 car that does not meet safety standards for 2024 is allowed on the road.

[@DioTheGreatOne]

Here are my suggestions: - Get rid of the Chicken Tax - Get rid of the CAFE regulations. - Lower the age for importing a car to the US from 25 years down to 5 years or less.

[@notisac3149]

Sorry buddy, you're making too much sense.

[@DaniG.German883]

American car manufacturers won’t allow that

[@DioTheGreatOne]

@@notisac3149 Me for President 2024

[@dsludge8217]

​@DaniG.German883 after all, they are part of Big Business, which in turns own the subsidiary business named "USA".

[@gabetalks9275]

CAFE regulations aren't the problem. The problem is that SUV's and pickup trucks are exempt from CAFE regulations. CAFE regulations need to be universal for all vehicles. These massive vehicles exist as a loophole to dodge CAFE regulations. CAFE is fuel economy. We need better fuel economy in order to lower emissions.

[@Oooweee440]

This is beyond a safety thing. It's corporate greed trying to keep their stupid oversized truck sale up even though trucks today is only meant for going to the grocery store

[@curtg7396]

Exactly because what we really need in this country is more imported garbage

[@buster5661]

So you are just going to dismiss all safety concerns? 🙄

[@metazare]

​@@buster5661 Any safety concern is irrelevant when you take into consideration motorcycle, or even bicycles being on the road.

[@buster5661]

@@metazare but we are not talking about motorcycles. We are talking about a completely different vehicle. You want to argue about motorcycle regulations? Find a video about motorcyles

[@buster5661]

@@metazare if your argument is that we should deregulate all motor vehicles on the highway because motorcycles exist, that's just 🤡

[@ポォロロ]

Small yet powerful, the appeal of a kei truck is that it can be used in many different ways!

[@802Garage]

Huge W for the car community and honestly for the environment plus convenience!

[@kennysboat4432]

We need small fuel efficient trucks and cars. Stop this 8000 pound ev car and pickup truck nonsense

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

Just think about the money the government will save from not having to be repairing the roads all the time

[@VacuousCat]

And public transports

[@kennysboat4432]

@@adrian_zombturtle148 Exactly! The pollution generated there could potentially outweigh that of small sedans.

[@travis3810]

@@kennysboat4432 I bet the pollution will lower as a result from these becoming really popular. What happened to the reuse part of "reduce, reuse, recycle"?? Buying one of these and keeping it on the road for another several years has got to be better for the environment than pumping out another new EV that nobody wants until they slap a 30% discount on it

[@BoredAndBrowsing]

American culture 🤷 Thinks bigger is better.

[@RobynHood1021]

These are the type of cars we should be driving in this country ..they should be encouraged not banned this country is so @ss backwards

[@Oldschoolrules123]

Free Country, I'll drive what I want... Not what you want me to drive.

[@yerbudspud]

Perfect for cities, terrible for rural areas and highways. Too bad politicians can't come up with a compromise because that would require some real effort.

[@HappyOva]

@@yerbudspud Wrong, these are PERFECT for rural areas and even better for people on farms. Living in the Japanese countryside for 6 months and I saw basically everyone using these, for everything. They are tanks and work amazing running equipment and other items, they are extremely cheap and parts are cheap as well. They take basically no effort for repairs. They are terrible for American cities but work well in Japan.

[@guameldestruir6239]

@@Oldschoolrules123 Yeah exactly, its a free country so we should be able to drive these if we want. I should have the right to drive an old guzzler from the 60's and park it up next to one of these small grocery getters that get 60mpg.

[@bertroost1675]

They aren't good for highways. On a windy day they'll be all over the road or on their side. But I do think they are a good option that we Americans should have a choice in.

[@mashiroinoue]

The problem is that cars are getting bigger and bigger at a point where parents are accidentally killing their children on their driveway

[@dickjohnson7845]

That's not the cars fault, that's stupid people.

[@jacobstowe2]

You can ride bicycles on most roads. Enough said

[@nlpnt]

In order to be imported (under Federal law) they have to be at least 25 years old. At that age many have under 100,000 km (60k miles) and are completely solid, in much better shape than surviving US-spec cars having endured New England winters.

[@topper1212]

These car are perfect for urban environments....

[@muddywater6856]

Rural too. My state welcomes them, but only allows them on certain roads. A real cost saver and environmentally responsible way to get around locally. Very functional for farming and such.

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

​@@muddywater6856that's nice, I feel like it's common sense to allow all kei cars on roads except for highways that go above 65 miles per hour

[@muddywater6856]

@adrian_zombturtle148 35 or 40 here. But being rural you can get around easily.

[@dabrams84]

Yeah not everyone has space. I want a small car, because I don't want to have to buy a large property. It isn't my lifestyle. Not everyone wants to have a yard and a big garage and driveway. The beautiful thing about us being free people is we can pick different lifestyles within our means. Small cars, if not no car, suits my preferred lifestyle.

[@Willy-hs7uu]

The Kei should be handled like Motorcycles and mopeds/scooters, Motorcycles are allowed on the freeways, mopeds are not simply because of the limited speeds, now if a Kei vehicle can keep up the speeds (like some larger scooters) then they should be allowed on highways.

[@Po-HsuanHuang]

If safety is a issue why skateboard is not banned.

[@RobynHood1021]

Or how about motorcycles 🏍️

[@RustyZipper]

Or e-bikes that go 40+ mph 🤷‍♂️

[@NoLongo]

@@RustyZipper those actually are banned. But how would they ever enforce that.

[@Krod5484]

What should be banned is your grammar.

[@briangasser973]

Skateboards arent on an interstate running at 70mph with traffic

[@LeeSinzation]

Politicians: They're not safe. Mean while Motorcycles with two wheels and no seat belt than can go 130 mph: Sure thang Bob

[@xevious2501]

Those cars are all over Japan. so why not? Such vehicles are not only great for businesses large and small, but also for people on lower fixed budgets. Its small but its still mobility!!!. The only one who would not like such a vehicle is the city and state. an ironically THEY TOO could buy these vehicles as rental city cars!!!!! far better option than a city bike.

[@charlienyc1]

I was right there with you until your last sentence. What's your beef with bikes? You want to increase efficiency, eliminate parking problems & congestion? A bike is the way to go.

[@joeshmoe1585]

The problem is not that the car is too small, it's the the Government has gotten to BIG!

[@stickynorth]

The only reason they are banned is because they would have cut into the major 3 automakers profits... Just like Chinese EV's are now banned for the same reason.. Chinese OEM's are OK with a $1-2K profit margin per vehicle... Not the Big 3 now... They want $20K margins which is why your basic vehicles suddenly aren't available anymore... Because you know.. "Nobody" wanted them... And just to clarify the nobody in question is CORPORATE...

[@dpajc056]

TESTIFY!!!

[@megsley]

I would never ride in a Chinese EV - cheap garbage and we have enough issues with American vehicles spying on their owners you think Chinese EVs won't spy on the owners for the CCP?!

[@KuostA]

@@mustbetrue1602 Central/South America, where Chinese EVs are RAMPANT with great success and very high user satisfaction, begs to differ .

[@Fhwgads11]

These probably cut into utv/sxs and golf cart manufacturers profits as well. Heaven forbid companies actually have to compete instead of just crying to get them banned (looking at you, Mercedes, Harley-Davidson and big 3)

[@enemyspotted2467]

Eh, that’s not a very nuanced take. China’s EV’s are banned mainly because we’re in a massive trade war with china and have been for quite some time. We would rather not have them flood the EV market right now. It would also open up some legal trouble, as a lot of their vehicles, in both engineering and styling, are stolen designs and IP from western brands. It’s rooted in politics more than profits. Plus those cars are crap. Cars aren’t actually that much more expensive today when you adjust for inflation. For example my C4 corvette was $29,000 new in 1986, adjusted for inflation that’s nearly $90,000 in 2024 dollars. A 2025 c8 corvette has and msrp of $70,000. It’s more of a wage problem, wages have significantly stagnated for the last ~30 years, and inflation was particularly bad the last few years. People aren’t making as much, and the price of everything went up a bit faster than normal. You are correct that there aren’t any basic cars available though, but there isn’t really a market for it right now. Pretty much only the wealthy can buy new, and the rest of us just buy used. The cheapest new car has about the same features as a car from about 10 years ago, so why the hell would anyone buy new for 25-30k when you can get a 2014, which is essentially the same vehicle feature-wise, for $10k?

[@objc]

MassDOT concerned about all the wrong things. Not building enough bicycle infrastructure and banning small vehicles meanwhile you can buy and modify huge, loud or insanely fast vehicles. This state has no significant vehicle industry, we should be regulating for our citizens not outside industry interests.

[@charlienyc1]

💯

[@richhamel6810]

Those flat bed truck or the van would be so handy to have. It's the lobbyists of car/truck manufacturers that are blocking these.

[@sometf2player752]

the Toyota Hilux Champ also has one of these a shame its not in north America

[@kayagorzan]

@@sometf2player752I’m happy that we have the Champ here in Thailand.

[@sometf2player752]

@@kayagorzan yeah but honestly I think it would do well in North America as well

[@kayagorzan]

@@sometf2player752 I hear there’s the chicken tax and other regulations

[@hhjhj393]

Most people don't carry super HEAVY loads like when they move, they just carry LARGE loads. So for most people you don't need a cummins diesel giant truck. These small trucks/vans are too logical. They offer the space to load up cargo without needing a huge expensive powertrain.... You don't need 400hp to move clothes, the occasional fridge, groceries, etc.

[@tilak231]

The host has said really nice "If scooter, mopeds are on the roads, why not Kei cars!" This is a very good hosting you see when someone works best at his job!

[@michaelredford5389]

It's literally the case of "So you're saying that because you all bought such unnecessarily massive and thirsty vehicles... I can't have a small vehicle?"

[@jwrangler12]

It's disturbing a group of people can yes or no on how we live our lives.

[@juelzd7172]

That’s why we need less government in our lives

[@lilium-orchid]

@@juelzd7172 And less capitalism.

[@RT-qd8yl]

The government _never_ has our best interests in mind, always remember that.

[@willieverusethis]

How would you structure society? Would you have a Somalia-like free for all?

[@jessie_f247]

MURICA

[@arkheimra]

The fact that giant trucks with no way to be able to see pedestrians because of how tall they are receive 0 question but these things receive pushback tells you everything about the "non-profit" overseeing this situation. Non-profits are constantly used as vehicles of corruption, no pun intended.

[@arkheimra]

@@kennygaming208 How dare you see the world burning around you and chime in with "HEY MATE CALL A POLITICIAN". I dont know how you sleep at night. You're a coward.

[@02Tony]

America car regulations do not have anything specific for pedestrians. This is why you will never see huge pick up trucks in Europe.

[@DrD0000M]

@@02Tony Europe's historic roads are also too tiny to have a big truck as a daily driver...also high fuel prices.

[@02Tony]

@@DrD0000M that is also true and I once saw a hummur in the 2000's but if it does not conform with EUROCAP regulations which has a section specifically for pedestrians,it cannot be sold, for example bullbars have disappeared from new pick up trucks.

[@ZachlikesMetal]

They'll try to ban these but won't ban giant jacked up trucks that weight like 10k+ and they can't even see what's in front of them neither.

[@bighomie245]

Arizona allows these cars too. I think for now it may be a special registration but people love these things. They’re reliable and super affordable. Huge blow to the auto giants that are the ones who probably lobby against allowing ownership of these things

[@IronBroccoli]

That non profit was probably funded by someone invested in selling large SUVs.

[@KiwiCatherineJemma]

You are 100% correct. I forget their official name but it was the lobby group funded by US "truck" makers.

[@jj82695]

those 10,000 lb MEGA heavy duty pig up trucks you see everywhere nowadays are what should be banned.

[@mike_w-tw6jd]

but what would the knuckle-draggers drive then?

[@Oldschoolrules123]

😂 CRY ME A RIVER

[@jrobbin24]

How bout neither

[@curtg7396]

Aw, poor little Betta male did you get your feelings hurt

[@malavoy1]

@@mike_w-tw6jd Their knuckles.

[@johnsmithfakename8422]

According to my information, Kei cars are legal because of a 25 year old classic car law, a Federal law. States that ban Kei cars can and should get sued in Federal court.

[@enemyspotted2467]

No, that’s not how it works. The states have a right to dictate what vehicles are allowed on their roads. The only thing the import law does is nullify the smog and safety laws for new cars put in place by the NHTSA. My car was sold new in the US, but it’s not california compliant and is prohibited from being registered their due to their state laws. What should happen is an investigation should be conducted on those who sponsored the bill and this non-profit (i suspect it’s an astroturfing campaign funded by the auto lobby) and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

[@crosslink1493]

@@enemyspotted2467 If all that is true then how come I've seen two Skyline cars in my area in the last 6 months, both with valid California license plates? Look 'Skyline autos' up on the web if you're not familiar with them. Actually I think its the 'historical vehicle' law, its cars over 30 years old, and as long as its original equipment as when sold its eligible for registration in California (there might be yearly mileage requirement limitations, too).

[@lucasrem]

FAKE JAPANESE ???

[@timothyshiu2263]

Perfect for city errands, grocery, park. Does DMV in California allow k-car?

[@gerardorocha247]

No. One common way to own a Kei Truck in California is to register it in the state of Montana and just drive it around California.

[@foureight84]

It's wild. They allow a tiny Mini Cooper, Fist 500, smart, but this is more dangerous in the road.

[@warmon6]

​@@gerardorocha247be cautious on that loophole. On Area 13 (ebikes) KZbin channel, he was trying to get his imported e-motorcycle register and had to go a similar route of registering it out of state (he lives cali). Either he or maybe someone else in his comments mentioned about cali's officers were starting to go after people using the loophole. Forget the legal reason (would have to watch it again) but they did know people were getting cited for it.

[@crosslink1493]

No. Lack of safety and environmental emissions features. They have small 800cc engines so only get up to about 40mph, and they don't come with a lot of the features Californians demand - radios, AC, cruise control, etc. They are very noisy inside, too. Considering how car companies have tried to sell small cars here in California and they all fail due to lack of demand, it wouldn't be worth trying to start a Kei car business. (Fiat 500 & Mini both have low sales, Toyota's Scion XA and IQ were both discontinued in 2016).

[@hughjassstudios9688]

​@@crosslink1493Brainlet statist never actually rode in one

[@jamesnorthup7717]

I need one of these for my rural mail route!! Right hand drive!!

[@AC-io8qs]

People don't seem to understand.. The government uses "safety" as an excuse ALL the time to infringe on our freedoms. It's also perfectly legal to drive a massively lifted truck that will run over any car as if it were a Kei car, even though from the factory they're required to have specific bumper arrangements to make them crash compatible with other cars. This is not about safety, it's about money and control, as per usual in the US.

[@KR-fy3ls]

"Are they supposed to be on the road" The absurdity in that statement.

[@foreverpainful]

like where else would you be able to use these 😂 too big for sidewalk. im happy that even if i dont have a license for my 2 seat mobility scooter to be on the road its not too wide that i can still drive it on the sidewalk

[@RustyFoundry]

“Not safe” lol. How do you explain motorcycles and mopeds? Also, maybe instead of banning smaller vehicles, we should ban oversized pickups!

[@LandonLovette]

We could have been driving these for the past 30 years, but the American auto mafia kept them out.

[@eddiegolf]

If everyone drove smaller cars like these the roads would be much safer.

[@anthonyxavier6300]

From 1990, cheap, reliable and Japanese. Sounds about right.

[@TinLeadHammer]

"They may not be safe" because everyone else drives a lifted F150? Rrright.

[@nereidgreen6653]

We already import Japanese vehicles. Plenty of them. So the issue definitely isn’t tariffs or being absurdly distracting. There’s already the Tesla cyber truck.

[@stickynorth]

Yup. It's all about them fat margins on cars post pandemic.. They want $20K margins which aren't realistic on a $20K car.. Hence why only $40K SUV's are now being built because they still only cost about $20K to make... The rest? PURE PROFIT! Facts...

[@37Kilo2]

Won't somebody think of the multi-billion dollar automobile companies?! It's unbelievable that these vehicles are legal, when they cut into profits! Those poor shareholders. 😢

[@lucasrem]

Ban K Pop too !

[@thetrapboy]

Keep pushing these. If more people drive these, the auto companies have no choice but to adapt. Great Job Massachusetts. 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@Charusel]

They ain’t mentioning the fuel efficiency of a tiny engine. Things are more green than a Tesla.

[@lucasrem]

2 stroke you meant ?? why you hate science ?

[@Charusel]

@@lucasrem I'm talking tech like Mazda's SkyActiv engines, trans and chassis. I'm trying to understand how is celebrating the optimization of existing technology anti-science? Please do further elaborate.

[@KillenEMsoftly]

you can ride 2 wheel death machines for decades, safety? lol

[@spikeman68]

9 out of ten times its the idiots in 4 wheels so......

[@Lunar_Capital]

@@spikeman68 Rice rocket moment

[@spikeman68]

@@Lunar_Capital starch power brother...

[@Lunar_Capital]

@@spikeman68 I like them whole grains

[@growingup15]

You can drive a Ford Model T legally on the roads and we wouldnt call them safe but yet you can register them and drive it on the roads. but suddenly a Kei car that's 95 years newer is suddenly "unsafe" We all know what it really is. The Big Automakers in America are scared that people are turning to a smaller and affordable option

[@jeffshriber6120]

Its so stuipd to ban these. Best on mileage and smog.

[@robgriffin4801]

They aren't great at either, but they shouldn't be banned as they aren't worse than a lot of other vehicles that aren't banned

[@user-tu1ee6dc5f]

These should be little deliver trucks more durable than these small vans. Small tight and capable of delivers in urban areas. How big are amazon vans?

[@celestialnubian]

That's why it's important to have sophisticated officials rather than a bunch of yolkols who've never been anywhere or seen anything. K cars are everywhere in Asia and they have decades of development behind them.

[@saramae9878]

Pretty sweet little trucks. Low bed, easy to drive, easy to fix, cheap. I'm glad they reversed the ban, they're so efficient!

[@superchargedpetrolhead]

I hope interest in these kei trucks will expose people to other small trucks from south east asian market....most of them are similar size but instead of a tiny 660cc petrol engine like in kei car they pack bigger diesel engine...

[@timotaneous3300]

Please know that we can get the diesel versions as well from China but very few people in US wants to deal with mechanical issues because there is minimal videos of how to do maintenance on diesel engines. These Petro Kei vehicles are very easy to work on and many people have found replacement parts locally.

[@Gnomezonbacon]

I want one of these kei cars! I DON'T WANT A GIANT SUV OR A GIANT TRUCK! I DON'T NEED TO HAUL THAT MUCH STUPID CRAP AROUND! It just takes me to the supermarket and the gym and to christmas once a year and that's literally all my car does!

[@Oldschoolrules123]

Gee, you could workout at home if you're so concerned.😂😂😂😂😂

[@erwinvangrinsven9345]

Fiat 500/mini cooper

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

​@@erwinvangrinsven9345European brands aren't as reliable/a mini cooper is only good for 50,000 miles untill it breaks down

[@gemtree7913]

Kei's literal translation is "light weight" btw

[@johnsheetz6639]

Honestly I think this is the direction car companies should take. Japanese companies have been trying to show us that for decades. If it'll hit highway speeds and get some good fuel mileage while being reliable. It's all we need.

[@HsingSun]

Why is driver's steeling wheel located at right hand?

[@Gnomezonbacon]

Don't tell me what car I can and cannot drive! FREEDOM!

[@JohnnyAngel8]

Can it.

[@Oldschoolrules123]

Bring back the ORIGINAL VW BUG.

[@Oldschoolrules123]

​@@JohnnyAngel8CRY ME A RIVER 🤡

[@snowflakehunter]

Wake up call. They've already been telling you what you can and cannot drive for years.

[@dsludge8217]

For being "The Land of the Free", the USA sure has a lot of restrictions.

[@illustriouschin]

All these cars are from the 90's and still going strong, that's the problem. Remember cash for clunkers? All the reliable old cars are gone now. Now all the new cars self-destruct at 60k miles.

[@maximumachievement361]

A lot of laws in Massachusetts are pretty pointless and stupid.

[@kenm7179]

They're banned in Maine as well- we also have a communist governor and power hungry politicians/bureaucrats.

[@TrollingWithTheTruth]

it's a commonwealth..........that's where this energy comes from.

[@Oldschoolrules123]

😂, Once the great state known for the Boston Tea Party is now known as electing a Chinese woman as the mayor of Boston. I wonder if I could go to China and become a mayor of one of the biggest cities.

[@user-pn9db8sm5w]

​@@Oldschoolrules123- She is an American, born in Chicago. If you were born in another country you may be able to hold office there.

[@Oldschoolrules123]

@@user-pn9db8sm5w I don't care where she was born.

[@musk-eteer9898]

are they freeway worthy or just city commute?

[@TrashLefties]

i made a non-profit, and it says they are safe.

[@jgjg3848]

a SMART car is much more dangerous and they're legal in all states, but they hassle owners of KEI trucks? Is it because the government can only make money on a $10k truck?

[@winzyl9546]

You mean corporate

[@notisac3149]

Actually, SMART cars often get 4/5 stars for crash safety. Genuinely surprising, sounds almost too good to be true lol. Regardless, I think that if we're going to allow motorcycles & jeeps from the 1940s on the road, kei cars & trucks should be allowed as well.

[@crosslink1493]

You don't know what you're talking about. If you take all the body panels off a SMART car you'll notice its a protective 'cage' around the interior space that can survive quite an impact. It got high crash safety ratings by the Feds.

[@peterbarlow8912]

They are $10k from the late ‘90’s. 2024’s are more like $25K. Ct. Let’s you register Kei trucks if they were inported after they are 25 years old.

[@Vxvx22]

Didn't know America has Kei car imported.

[@FredSmith-s5t]

Where can I get one? Near me?

[@NoLongo]

Government has done nothing to discourage an arms race of ever heavier and more expensive cars that take up a ton of space. But will immediately step in to stop small cars.

[@hellsfirefreedomtube6984]

We the people should be able to drive whatever we want

[@thegoober8797]

I wish More automakers made these smaller Cars.

[@stickynorth]

Or allowed their imports tariff free... Even a $4K Wuling Mini from China would do wonders in curbing America's oil addiction and giving people access to cheap 2 and 4 seater cars for urban medium-speed commuting...

[@abdullahakhtar9824]

Automakers have manufactured concent for SUVs and pickup trucks for decades purely because emissions and safety regulations are more lenient to SUVs and pickup trucks

[@DR3ADER1]

No, because Toyota can NOT be trusted, considering that they ignored the safety of the people who drive these cars for over 35 YEARS as the Daihatsu scandal revealed.

[@mariusfacktor3597]

1:18 A "nonprofit" said they were dangerous. These are clearly the least dangerous cars on the road. That "nonprofit" is likely a shell company of a US auto manufacturer or lobby group. Everyone should be driving smaller cars if we actually want our streets to be somewhat safe. And ride bikes if we want them to be totally safe.

[@charlienyc1]

Are these available as EVs, or only as small-displacement ICE vehicles? How many CCs? And what kind of fuel economy?

[@TheTishy44]

These cars are super safe on public streets…45 miles and below. Great on gas.

[@TuxedoChariot]

if we werent all balling off of credit, we would be driving these cars instead.

[@CPAgamer313]

You’ll own nothing and be happy

[@stickynorth]

You'll spout hacky out of context conspiracy clips for clout... SMH, get a real job maroon!

[@AxionSmurf]

don't forget to eat bugs and visit the island

[@matthewdurand72]

How many miles can the car go before it breaks down

[@johnmacneill8066]

What is the name of the one "non-profit?"

[@Outrageprovocateur]

The problem is they kei car manufacturers aren’t in “the club”