Kei Central

[TAU_GTP]

Yeah, The five doors are all over the place where I live. We’ll see. With their kei car plans outside Japan and the next Jimny variants, they’re doing big things.

I'm seeing lots of 3-doors in Germany (and am happy about every single one). Have actually seen one Utility here, too!

 

[Obelisk]

Finally noticed this thread. Does any regular to this thread own a kei car, or is it mostly an appreciation thread?

Figured I'd ask as I'd like to share photos and stuff about my Daihatsu Midget II once it arrives in a few weeks' time.

 

[05XR8]

Nice. I had a 2005 Charade exactly like this.

The thread is mainly appreciation and news. With the news here in Australia about many kei cars being put on hold from importing, the flips is we’re getting closer to manufacturers selling kei cars through their respective dealerships.

Some news:

Imported Japanese ‘kei’ cars stranded in Australia after government blunder

Buyers of Japanese 'kei' cars have been left in limbo after an Australian government mix-up.

www.drive.com.au

 

[Obelisk]

Nice. I had a 2005 Charade exactly like this.
View attachment 1373746

The thread is mainly appreciation and news. With the news here in Australia about many kei cars being put on hold from importing, the flips is we’re getting closer to manufacturers selling kei cars through their respective dealerships.

Some news:

Imported Japanese ‘kei’ cars stranded in Australia after government blunder

Buyers of Japanese 'kei' cars have been left in limbo after an Australian government mix-up.

www.drive.com.au

Cheers. Has anyone been following the war on Kei trucks in the US? My state is the most recent in a string of states to start denying registration for kei trucks.

Only kei trucks.

It's as daft as it sounds.

 

[05XR8]

It’s mainly about the speed on freeways. Understandable. I’m in New South Wales, the trucks I see are mainly on streets and roads that don’t go above 80 km/h. Even when I lived in Melbourne(10 years ago), I didn’t see many kei trucks on freeways.

 

[Obelisk]

It’s mainly about the speed on freeways. Understandable. I’m in New South Wales, the trucks I see are mainly on streets and roads that don’t go above 80 km/h. Even when I lived in Melbourne(10 years ago), I didn’t see many kei trucks on freeways.

Yeah. Thing is, the people who actually drive them over here aren't crazy or suicidal enough to take their trucks on the freeway so it's a bit of a nothingburger argument...

 

[Obelisk]

Massachusetts 'Reviewing' Kei Car Ban After Uproar Over Canceled Registrations

Owners of imported JDM cars, specifically kei trucks, have temporarily won the battle to keep driving their legally imported vehicles.

www.thedrive.com

Uproar in MA has forced our RMV to suspend the ban/revocation of plates and they are now re-evaluating the policy.

 

[TAU_GTP]

Finally noticed this thread. Does any regular to this thread own a kei car, or is it mostly an appreciation thread?

Figured I'd ask as I'd like to share photos and stuff about my Daihatsu Midget II once it arrives in a few weeks' time.

I owned a Daihatsu Move but it got destroyed by Nazi vandals Have been driving bigger cars since, but am deeply missing the Kei experience, so might get another one in the future.

 

[TAU_GTP]

Size comparisons are always fun with Kei cars

 

[Obelisk]

TL;DR, new bill being brought before our state congress that fully recognizes and legalizes the keijidosha category and will compel the RMV to create a framework and path to registering and inspecting Kei vehicles.

Massachusetts Bill Could Fully Legalize Kei Cars and Override RMV Ban

Massachusetts tried to ban imported Japanese kei trucks, but it botched it so bad that they could become formally legal.

www.thedrive.com

 

[05XR8]

The world will become a better place if the USA get on board.

 

[Obelisk]

The Massachusetts RMV has issued a notice today that, effective tomorrow, all JDM vehicles including Kei vehicles are eligible for registration and titling.

 

[05XR8]

Floodgates are open in Massatuchets! Wonder how many new registrations will suddenly ramp up? Too cool.

 

[Tornado]

I'm assuming that the cause of this was when the RMV started throwing their weight around denying people who were importing Skylines and suddenly found that the people spending 50 grand or more to buy R34s would fund legal fights over it vs the people who were buying $5000 Actys and Sanbars and were basically screwed.

 

[05XR8]

Yes please.


I see so many Suzuki Spacias and starting to see the Delica MINI. I need an N-BOX.

 

[TAU_GTP]

Yes please.


I see so many Suzuki Spacias and starting to see the Delica MINI. I need an N-BOX.

We should charter a ship to pick up our orders in Japan and then do a round-trip to deliver them 😁

 

[05XR8]

 

[05XR8]

I saw this one at World Time Attack last year.

Tiny Car, Big Dream: A Suzuki Cappuccino Story - Speedhunters

“It’s not just a car; it’s a story.” This is the most important lesson I’ve learned through years of Speedhunting and immersing myself in car culture. Nowhere is this more evident than in Domenic and Sarah’s 1991 Suzuki Cappuccino. An impressive build in its own right, this kei-class roadster is...

www.speedhunters.com

 

[05XR8]

 

[TAU_GTP]

I saw this one at World Time Attack last year.

Tiny Car, Big Dream: A Suzuki Cappuccino Story - Speedhunters

“It’s not just a car; it’s a story.” This is the most important lesson I’ve learned through years of Speedhunting and immersing myself in car culture. Nowhere is this more evident than in Domenic and Sarah’s 1991 Suzuki Cappuccino. An impressive build in its own right, this kei-class roadster is...

www.speedhunters.com

View attachment 1393413

More than just a car, indeed. I hope it gets preserved for as long as possible.

Ah yes, the over-the-top corny-ness of the Aughts
Was this a dealership promo? I'm quite surprised by the Western production style of the video, especially given that this car wasn't (officially) sold outside of Japan.

 

[05XR8]

More than just a car, indeed. I hope it gets preserved for as long as possible.

Ah yes, the over-the-top corny-ness of the Aughts
Was this a dealership promo? I'm quite surprised by the Western production style of the video, especially given that this car wasn't (officially) sold outside of Japan.

It reads a promotional video and definitely weird concept just to reference the basketball. I'd love to know the story in the boardroom behind the go ahead.

 

[05XR8]

Love the K4GP stuffs.


A shop showing off their cars.


Cool beginnings

 

[TAU_GTP]

In case anyone missed it on the main page:

Honcho is the Kei Truck Simulator You’ve Been Waiting For

A new game called Honcho, from a tiny independent British developer, is on its way to immerse players in the world of commercial kei trucks. MinskWorks, from Bristol in the UK, is probably best-known for its 2018 title Jalopy, which centered on a drive around the former Eastern Bloc of Europe in

www.gtplanet.net

 

[TAU_GTP]

TL;DR, new bill being brought before our state congress that fully recognizes and legalizes the keijidosha category and will compel the RMV to create a framework and path to registering and inspecting Kei vehicles.

Massachusetts Bill Could Fully Legalize Kei Cars and Override RMV Ban

Massachusetts tried to ban imported Japanese kei trucks, but it botched it so bad that they could become formally legal.

www.thedrive.com

It seems the controversy isn't over...

Colorado Wants To Take Your Keis Away

A secretive lobbying agency is pushing Colorado to deny registration for legally imported vehicles

jalopnik.com

 

[Obelisk]

It seems the controversy isn't over...

Colorado Wants To Take Your Keis Away

A secretive lobbying agency is pushing Colorado to deny registration for legally imported vehicles

jalopnik.com

It never was over, but more knowledge is handed over between kei owners every time this happens. The pushback is only gonna grow.

 

[TAU_GTP]

After just 3 days Colorado has aborted its efforts to ban Kei cars in the state as per this official email posted on reddit. Looks like the backlash worked!

 

[Obelisk]

After just 3 days Colorado has aborted its efforts to ban Kei cars in the state as per this official email posted on reddit. Looks like the backlash worked!

The pushback is only gonna grow.

Called it, haha.


TX took years. MA took about five months. Colorado... three days. I think the organization behind the push should be scared of how passionate people are over their kei cars.