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question everything

(49,079 posts)
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:42 PM Wednesday

'What Is That Thing?' Tiny Trucks Are Causing Big Fights.

In the land of big trucks, a tiny pickup is stealing drivers’ hearts. Now owners of the little haulers from Japan say they’re being driven off the road.

Kei trucks are smaller than a Volkswagen Beetle and powered by an engine commonly found in motorcycles, but they have beds as large as a full-size pickup from Detroit. The combination of size and utility are virtues in their home country, where both land and natural resources are scarce.

Lately they have taken off in the U.S., where owners say they do nearly everything that bigger pickups can do and come with additional features—like being super sweet and making other drivers jealous. Even in states like Texas, where bigger is almost always better, kei trucks are flying off lots.

(snip)

But many states are barring them from public motorways because regulators say they are too fragile to share the road with American-sized automobiles. Kei truck superfans say size prejudice is at play and they’re revving up for a fight.

More..

https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/pickup-truck-drivers-kei-japan-honda-693effd4?st=h6xiJv&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

(free)


21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
'What Is That Thing?' Tiny Trucks Are Causing Big Fights. (Original Post) question everything Wednesday OP
Unsafe at any speed YorkRd Wednesday #1
So is a motorcycle BWdem4life Thursday #15
I saw one of these the other day dweller Wednesday #2
The big auto makers are clearly scared of these things Mosby Wednesday #3
Why ?, they are at least 25 years old. MichMan Wednesday #7
Wait until they outfit them with doolies, A/C, V-8 turbocharged engines and heavy duty springs! Wonder Why Wednesday #4
designed with a top speed of 50mph in mind. stopdiggin Wednesday #5
Don't interstate highways have a "minimum" speed allowed? If you drive less than 50 or..... EarnestPutz Saturday #19
they do. stopdiggin Saturday #20
"regulators say they are too fragile " but But BUT you can drive an old Model T down the road with no problems... mitch96 Wednesday #6
No one is driving a 100 year old Model T around for routine transportation MichMan Wednesday #9
You haven't met my friend HariSeldon Thursday #13
Like I said, Ok around town but not on highways. I live in a quirky town that has all kinds of unique auto's mitch96 Thursday #17
I worked on a golf course during summers while in High School Bristlecone Wednesday #8
Too fragile?? HighFired49 Wednesday #10
we have a few of those on the Big Island proud patriot Thursday #11
We saw a bunch of them on our visit to Hawaii. They really are cute. I like to think.... EarnestPutz Sunday #21
Can't they just keep them off the highways? LisaM Thursday #12
Local roads should be fine, like golf carts, scooters, bicycles, etc. IronLionZion Thursday #14
How many miles per gallon? Emile Thursday #16
These things are cool. How about a commuter car next? Auggie Thursday #18

BWdem4life

(2,501 posts)
15. So is a motorcycle
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 01:34 AM
Thursday

Why let them on the road? If you’re gonna let motorcycles on the road, why not this truck?

dweller

(25,242 posts)
2. I saw one of these the other day
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:50 PM
Wednesday

Its size didn’t bother me , and thought it was a good idea .
Some ppl like smaller cars/trucks , are not hung up on size issues 🤏



✌🏻

Mosby

(17,637 posts)
3. The big auto makers are clearly scared of these things
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:53 PM
Wednesday

The politicians banning these vehicles need to be exposed and shamed.

Wonder Why

(4,718 posts)
4. Wait until they outfit them with doolies, A/C, V-8 turbocharged engines and heavy duty springs!
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 09:59 PM
Wednesday

Then add oversized tires, automatic everything including tailgates, optional rear lifts to load cargo and more! They will really be cool! And expensive!

stopdiggin

(13,005 posts)
5. designed with a top speed of 50mph in mind.
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:04 PM
Wednesday

things are REALLY not supposed to be out on the highway. (and that's assuming the more friendly and forgiving type of blacktop)

Look - I routinely have to bump my speed up to 70-75 just in order to not impede traffic flow - on the way home from the grocery! Now imagine somebody poking along at 55 - in an egg carton - just daring the dualies and 18 wheelers - going with the regular traffic flow, at +15-20 faster ... It's a matter of basic safety. For everyone!

EarnestPutz

(2,683 posts)
19. Don't interstate highways have a "minimum" speed allowed? If you drive less than 50 or.....
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 05:55 PM
Saturday

55 you can be ticketed. Seems that would solve a lot of problems.

stopdiggin

(13,005 posts)
20. they do.
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 10:20 PM
Saturday

and my point being, that actually drive this speed (particularly in a small 'egg carton') is to present a danger not only to self, but to fellow travelers.

Driving these smallish vehicles in an environment and on roadways where they are suited doesn't really bother me - (and perhaps could be encouraged for the good sense and thrift that they represent. ) Interstate and highways - I have real doubts. And my concern is further engaged - by knowing fully well that a certain portion of the driving public, exercise virtually no degree of care or common sense. There are people out there that would literally drive a golf cart or a riding mower on the freeway - if they could get away with it.

mitch96

(14,766 posts)
6. "regulators say they are too fragile " but But BUT you can drive an old Model T down the road with no problems...
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:16 PM
Wednesday

Here in Florida each county seems to have it's own rules. In my town It's ok but not on any major Highways.. Kinda sorta like street legal golf carts are ok on local roads..I've seen a few pickups and small vans.. Four wheel drive and two wheel drive...
https://minitrucks.net/collections/vehicles

MichMan

(13,551 posts)
9. No one is driving a 100 year old Model T around for routine transportation
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:27 PM
Wednesday

and certainly not on any major roads and highways

mitch96

(14,766 posts)
17. Like I said, Ok around town but not on highways. I live in a quirky town that has all kinds of unique auto's
Thu Dec 19, 2024, 11:40 AM
Thursday

running around. Lots of car shows on the weekends and holidays. Model T for everyday transport?
Nope and neither Kei trucks/cars either. I bet the Kei trucks are safer than the old "T"..
I would love to get a Kei van but I have no where to put it.. BTW they are all right hand drive..


Bristlecone

(10,520 posts)
8. I worked on a golf course during summers while in High School
Wed Dec 18, 2024, 10:26 PM
Wednesday

I drove a vehicle just like that to haul sand for traps and general course maintenance. It is not road worthy IMO.

EarnestPutz

(2,683 posts)
21. We saw a bunch of them on our visit to Hawaii. They really are cute. I like to think....
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 01:13 PM
Sunday

......of them as slowly migrating East from Japan and, having gained a foothold in Hawaii, moving on, next to California and then the world.

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