Clear The Deck: US Government Pushes For Kei Cars In America
President Donald Trump made an unexpected automotive announcement during a recent briefing on rolling back fuel economy standards. While discussing broader regulatory changes, Trump pivoted to an idea he said was inspired by his recent trip to Japan: bringing kei cars to the United States. He told reporters he found the compact, regulation-bound Japanese vehicles “really cute” and suggested that America should start building them.
Trump compared the tiny machines to “how the Beetle used to be,” emphasizing their practicality and charm. He added, “you’re not allowed to build them, and I’ve authorized the Secretary [of Transportation] to immediately approve the production of those cars.” Kei cars, known in Japan for their strict limits on engine displacement, exterior dimensions, and power output, have long been considered far too small for mainstream American tastes. Even so, they’ve built a passionate following among U.S. enthusiasts who import them under the 25-year rule.
Transportation Secretary Says Regulations Are Being Cleared
Following Trump’s comments, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed that the administration intends to open the door for kei car production on U.S. soil. “He gave me the directive to clear the regulations on this, to which we have,” Duffy said. “So, if Toyota or any other company wants to make smaller, more affordable cars, fuel efficient, we have cleared the deck so they can make them in America and sell them in America.”
Exactly which federal regulations Duffy plans to change remains unclear. The largest obstacle is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), a massive 1,400-page collection of rules that dictates nearly every aspect of a vehicle’s design. These regulations specify test procedures, structural requirements, and even how far a steering column may move in a crash to avoid impaling the driver. Kei cars, built to conform to Japan’s domestic standards, do not meet many of these requirements.
Regulatory Reality: Federal Rules VS State Registration
Even if federal regulators move to soften restrictions, the path to legal U.S. sales is far from straightforward. While American companies can and do build vehicles that fall outside FMVSS, such as track-only cars, they cannot sell them as road-legal consumer vehicles. State governments ultimately control vehicle registration, and nearly all require new cars to meet FMVSS standards before they can be titled for public roads.
Some states allow limited-use vehicles that don’t comply with federal standards, such as golf carts or low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles, but kei cars do not neatly fit into those categories. Without a federal safety reclassification or a state-level carveout, new kei cars would face significant registration hurdles. As of now, no federal safety rules have been formally updated to reflect Trump’s directive.
An Uncertain Road Ahead
Trump’s unexpected enthusiasm for kei cars has sparked conversation among enthusiasts, automakers, and regulatory analysts. While the president’s comments signal a desire to diversify the types of vehicles built in America, the legal and safety framework surrounding automotive production remains unchanged. Until specific regulatory revisions are announced, kei cars remain in a gray area—admired by many, legally complicated for most, and still largely confined to the enthusiast import market.
Whether Trump’s push leads to meaningful regulatory changes or simply adds another chapter to America’s fascination with Japan’s smallest vehicles remains to be seen.
