A Japanese Kei Car is similar to the American K-Car in function, but the way it began and has continued to evolve is quite different. If you remember the Detroit K Cars they were started as a way for anybody to get an affordable, dependable car for a low price. These attributes make a good comparison with the compact, light, and affordable Japanese Kei Car, which has become popular in the worsening world economy.

The Japanese Kei Car is based on auto restrictions dating past WWII. These cars are classified as "Keijidosha" and are restricted by size and power, but they have very many models. From Kei Trucks to sporty coupes the Kei Car has evolved. The cars are also taxed less than a regular car, and have far lower insurance rates. The cost to own a full size car is expensive in Japan, having to deal with high fuel costs and much higher insurance. The system is restrictive, so many people will go for the smaller kei car. Kei cars are less expensive to produce parts for, so they pass the yearly "Shaken" which is a very strict emissions and performance test.

So what does this have to do with us, in America how can we get a car that costs about 1/3 of a full size while retaining Japanese manufacturer build quality? By purchasing USED Kei Cars! Because of the strict nature of the Shaken and the great public transportation in Japan, cars are not used as often. They are also produced by all the major companies, such as Toyota and Honda so the build quality is good and known to Americans. Most countries can import these cars, and the only real difference is the steering wheel on the other side. Some countries have time restrictions on importing of kei cars, but that is fine due to the above mentioned fact of Shaken and that most kei cars are not driven as often as in other countries.

I will be writing more about Kei Cars in the future.