Daily Archive: October 29, 2025

If You Could Buy A Japanese Kei Car, Would You?

With the Japan Mobility Show around the corner, attention is being paid to a market-specific vehicle form factor: the Kei Car (or K-Car, not to be confused with the ‘80’s Chrysler). These tiny vehicles are largely defined by regulation. They can be no more than 3,400 mm long, 1,480 mm wide and 2,000 mm tall. The most typical vehicles look like rounded boxes with the wheels pushed to the corners, reminiscent of the square watermelons that are also popular in Japan. Power is limited to 63 hp (47 kW). Originally intended for young people, they have increasingly also become popular with retirees. Overall, the best-selling car and best-selling EV in Japan are both Kei cars.