Microcars could be driving on a street near you.

The affordability issue has also extended to the car market. At a time when the average price of a brand-new automobile is almost $50,000, the White House is seeking to offer motorists other affordable options.

Japan may have inspired President Donald Trump’s latest decision to allow U.S. manufacturers to produce tiny automobiles—also known as kei cars.
Administration Actions
Trump, speaking at a White House event earlier this month, expressed admiration for tiny cars after seeing them in Japan, comparing these models to the classic Volkswagen Beetle.
“They’re very small, they’re really cute,” Trump told reporters. “And everyone seems to think they’re good, but you’re not allowed to build them.”

He confirmed that he authorized Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to “immediately approve the production” of these smaller vehicles, which are common throughout Malaysia and South Korea.

“So, you’ll be able to buy,” the president said.

Trump Rolls Back Biden-Era Fuel Standards, Admin Says It Will Save Americans $109 Billion
In a Dec. 5 Truth Social post, Trump reiterated the charm of these miniature cars.
“Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid,” the president wrote.

“These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, amazing!!! Start building them now!”

In a Dec. 4 interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Duffy stated that if there is market support for low-cost microcars, he wants to afford U.S. manufacturers the opportunity to satisfy consumer demand.
While they might not be functional on freeways, the secretary noted that they could work in urban settings.

“If that’s where you drive, it could be a great solution for you,” he said. “And, by the way, much more affordable than other options that are on the market today.”
Terminating CAFE Standards
The president’s comments came as he moved to dismantle his predecessor’s fuel‑economy rules, formally scrapping the Biden administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
The original program required automakers to average 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031, but Trump’s rollback lowers the target to 34.5 miles per gallon over the next six years.

The White House estimates that the change will trim at least $1,000 from sticker prices and deliver about $109 billion in consumer savings over the next five years.
Driving a Kei Car
Emerging in the late 1940s and ‘50s, tiny automobiles—kei cars—were created to provide low-cost personal transportation during Japan’s postwar reconstruction. Their compact size suited the era’s infrastructure, when most roads were narrow, winding, and frequently unpaved.
The federal government does not explicitly ban Japanese-style microcars. However, regulatory exclusions effectively prevented automakers from producing these types of vehicles, forcing them to manufacture larger, heavier cars.

People cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images)
People cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images
Since the 1970s, the United States has implemented modern federal crash-safety and highway-safety standards under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This includes airbags, crash-test performance, side-impact protection, and structural strength.

Kei cars—designed with small dimensions and engines—cannot comply with these standards without adding weight and size, ultimately undermining the very concept.
‘Game Changer’ for US Automakers
The president’s public support and policy actions regarding kei cars are a “game changer,” says Lauren Fix, a sector analyst and industry expert at Car Coach Reports.
“This is not an overnight process, but the tooling could be shipped to the U.S. and produced within a year,” Fix told The Epoch Times.

One automaker is already putting the pedal to the metal to see if Americans want smaller cars.

Chrysler parent Stellantis said on Dec. 8 that it will begin offering an all-electric small car called the Fiat Topolino—translated to “little mouse”—in the United States in 2026.
Fiat CEO Olivier François stopped short of providing more information, but he stated in a news release that “more details to come next year.”

“The Fiat Topolino, our small, joyful, colorful car that is now everywhere in Europe, has made several appearances in the U.S. over the past year, including last month at the LA Auto Show, where it’s creating tremendous excitement among consumers,” Francois said in the statement.

“So much so that I’m happy to share that we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the U.S., with more details to come next year.”

Trump’s enthusiasm for tiny cars, meanwhile, could also lead to savings for families, Fix notes.
Affordability Versus Market Demand
In Japan, brand-new gasoline-powered kei cars range from $8,000 to $14,000—electric alternatives can run as high as $27,800.
Stellantis sells the Topolino in Europe for approximately $11,500.

By comparison, the average transaction price of a new automobile in the United States is almost $50,000, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book report, released on Dec. 9.
But availability and cost may not be enough to entice motorists to hop into a kei car anytime soon.

Two in five Americans say an SUV or crossover is their primary vehicle, according to YouGov survey data—a preference reflected clearly in the country’s best-selling models.
The U.S. auto market remains dominated by SUVs and pickup trucks—sedans account for a smaller share of domestic sales. In the first seven months of 2025, the top-selling cars have been the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ram trucks.
If there is market demand, models like Toyota’s Hilux pickup truck or the Fiat Topolino could be hitting American streets in the coming years.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/...2FrUJAQxJQQZmmB3U%3D

I've had the discussion about the production of cheaper cars. Basic standard government required stuff. Hand crank windows, no AC, basic radio, keyed ignition, no fob, manual seats, etc, etc. I wonder how well such a car/truck would sell.

quote:

Originally posted by dan03833:
I've had the discussion about the production of cheaper cars. Basic standard government required stuff. Hand crank windows, no AC, basic radio, keyed ignition, no fob, manual seats, etc, etc. I wonder how well such a car/truck would sell.

I recall your post...

The best part of this legislation is that it gets rid of the engine turning off and restarting at traffic lights.

quote:

Any takers?

I'm 6'6" tall w/37 inch inseam. I'll pass.

I can see it doing well in crowded cities, they are everywhere in Europe

Didn't the Smart Car already fail in the US market years ago?

Newton and his laws have a lot to say about the repercussions of driving what is essentially a thimble around streets full of larger metal boxes, some of which may eventually be driven on autopilot.

So...I'm fine with them being allowed to be built/sold etc. but, no thanks.

quote:

Hand crank windows, no AC, basic radio, keyed ignition, no fob, manual seats, etc, etc. I wonder how well such a car/truck would sell.

Most of the men in my family were tradesman and they all drove Ford 100 or Chevy WT 1500's. They only had the stuff listed above. Plus they had vinyl seats and floor boards that you could hose out.
(A couple might have had air conditioning)

My first truck was a Ford Ranger that only had what was listed above and it was a standard.

Back in 2014, I was about two months away from walking out the door to AFG when my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport was on it's last legs. I didn't want to leave the other half without an extra vehicle so off to the Ford Dealership I go. This specific one was just outside the Fan area of Richmond, and I had been going there for years.

I told them what I wanted and they laughed. They stated that those trucks are not made regularly unless they are a special contract.


They also told me that in all reality, I would never get another vehicle to go 305,000 miles like my Explorer did.

I'm not interested in driving around in a glorified go-kart among much larger and heavier vehicles driven by crazies and distracted drivers.

I don’t want a tiny car. I wouldn’t mind inexpensive, low tech options ie that hilux pickup truck with minimal “stuff”.

That BMW Smart Car always seemed like a death trap on the freeway. If anything, I’m looking for a larger Subaru for my commute just to make the inevitable crash more survivable.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I don’t want a tiny car. I wouldn’t mind inexpensive, low tech options ie that hilux pickup truck with minimal “stuff”.

That BMW Mercedes Smart Car always seemed like a death trap on the freeway. If anything, I’m looking for a larger Subaru for my commute just to make the inevitable crash more survivable.

Semantics.
The Smart wasn't a bad car, have driven a few. Great for a downtown city car.
Even if it just opens the possibility of new stuff coming here, it's a plus.

Not semantics I didn’t really know who made them. It was pure guessery on my part. lol

In town maybe. I4? Not a fucking chance in hell.

I think it's a great idea. Although it won't obviate collisions, they could be limited to urban/secondary roads.

Agree. I have zero problem with them being made available. I personally wouldn't choose one, but then I've been spoiled by driving "real" cars (trucks and SUVs) most of my life. I wouldn't feel safe in something like that, but enough with the damn nanny state already!

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
Not semantics I didn’t really know who made them. It was pure guessery on my part. lol

In town maybe. I4? Not a fucking chance in hell.

10-4. Both German, close enough. Former coworker's wife is on her 2nd.
I drive my Midget [top speed of about 70 on a good day] on I45, just stay on the right lanes and drive the same as if I were on a motorcycle.

Happy to see consumers have choices. There must be a very decent size market that neither cary full/heavy loads nor exceed 45 MPH. (And the very rare occasions they do, they would be better off in a rental/Uber-x/delivery anyway). If nothing brings some diversity to the market (Everything looks the same to me now).

Libtard/Globalists hate this... It chips away at their rely on the government agenda. ie public transit, they LOVE public transit even when it sucks. It just checks so many boxes for them

Manufacturers must be nervous and cautions. Think about it POTUS: DJT frees them from the latest CAFE chains. Cool, but they already made a bunch of adjustments and dropped tons of dough preparing for them... Now what? Bring back the v8/manual transmission Camaro? I would bet a days pay the manufacturers do little other than open up a few import models and slow down software updates. They are have consider when DJT rides into the sunset there is a 50/50 chance some raging lunatic Libtard gets installed and brings back the previous regulations and then some.

I'd drive one.

We currently have a 2013 Mazda 3, and while at 6' 5" it's not the most comfortable thing in the world, I can squeeze myself in there and have done plenty of cross-country trips to Florida, Wyoming, and South Dakota in it. It's simple, the 6-speed manual makes it fun to drive, and at 35mpg around town it saves us a ton over driving the Suburban or my truck everywhere. A fill-up is only like $30 and that'll get me 400 + miles.

IMO a cheap, simple, efficient little ICE car makes a whole lot more sense than an expensive hybrid or EV if you're really looking to save money. And if they can delete all the fancy electronics to make it cheaper and save even more weight, all the better. Cars like this are for basic transportation, not to be a rolling entertainment center.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
IMO a cheap, simple, efficient little ICE car makes a whole lot more sense than an expensive hybrid or EV if you're really looking to save money.

I have a cheap, simple, efficient EV car that makes a lot of sense and I’ve been driving for a daily driver for 12 years straight. I charge it for almost nothing, next to free, off the 35 panels on top of my house.

As long as it’s a small car, efficient, and low in cost, it makes sense. It doesn’t have to be limited to ICE. I paid $19,700 all in for my DD. In today’s money that is cheap AF.

If they are nimble enough to stay out of the way of the huge pickups and SUVs now dominating the roads, I'm all for this idea. I doubt if I will ever buy another car, but if I had to, I would certainly consider one of these (I drive fewer than 2500 miles per year).

However, I expect that casual cell phone-assisted rentals, and AI/self-driving cars will be in full operation before these can make significant inroads into the market.

There are already plenty of young city dwellers who have never owned and have no expectation of ever owning or driving a car, this trend will only increase. Hard to believe for people of my generation where driving yourself meant freedom rather than obligation.