Kei truck

A Kei truck, or Japanese mini truck is a tiny but practical pickup truck available in FWD or 4WD version, built to satisfy the Japanese "keijidōsha" (軽自動車) statutory class of light vehicles. It know as Keitora in Japan alongside with their van version twins know as microvan.

Design

The Kei truck class specifies a maximum size and displacement, greatly increased since legislation first enabled the type in 1949. The 1998 law admits a maximum length of 11 ft (3.4 m), a maximum width of 58 in (1.48 m) and a maximum height of 78 in (2.0 m) with a maximum displacement of 660 cc. They weigh about 1500 lbs (700 kg), and when ungoverned can reach up to 75 mph (120 kph).

Typical manufacturers and model names include: Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Mazda / Autozam Scrum, Mitsubishi Minicab, and Daihatsu Hijet.

Uses

Widely employed throughout Asia, used models have appeared in the US for off-road use typically by farmers and hunters. Japanese laws encourage surplussing vehicles after a relatively short life; consequently importers bring used Kei trucks into the US by the container load for sale at prices ranging from US$3000 to US$6000. They have fully enclosed cabs, seat belts, windshield wipers, AM radios, heaters, lights, and signals, and are claimed to run 40 miles (70km) on one US gallon of gasoline. They generally have 6 ft long pickup beds with fold-down sides; dump and scissor lift beds are also available as well as van bodies. The length limitation forces all of these models into a cab forward design.

While street legal in Japan, Kei trucks lack proof of conformance with US regulations. Nevertheless they are approved for use on local roads in several rural states, with a variety of limitations on their use. 2008 legislation in OK and LA is the most liberal, prohibiting their use on interstate highways only (IIHS.org 'Mini-truck state laws').

External links

* [http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx Mini-truck state laws] Summary of Mini-truck Laws in US States
* [http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A23612 New law paves the way for Japanese mini-trucks to roam Tulsa streets]
* [http://www.ksn.com/news/local/19673934.html Mini trucks, big controversy]
* [http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2008/06/23/news/doc485fe8e092258084621605.txt Truck bill passes in Louisiana] Note 'Kie' misspelling
* [http://www.calhouncountyjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62 Mini trucks reach Calhoun Co, MS]
* [http://www.pr.com/press-release/17606 Best Trading Co. Announced Export of Used Japanese Mini-trucks]

ee also

*Kei car
*Microvan