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Keicar - The Official Japanese Economy Car
 Japanese
auto buyers have a choice of two main types of cars: futsuusha or kei
(pronounced kay). Futsuusha (meaning standard car) are
full-sized cars similar to those Japanese car companies commonly sell abroad.
However, in Japan, where roads are narrow and parking spaces close and tight
Japanese auto makers also offer keicars ("small engine" cars) as a more
practical and cost-efficient alternative. Keicars are smaller,
lighter vehicles designed to better accommodate the cramped driving conditions
within Japanese cities. Cheaper to buy and maintain, keicars are
also subject to lower vehicle taxes and insurance rates and are often exempt
from the Japanese law requiring proof of parking space for new car purchases
(someone actually comes to your home to verify that you have a place to park
your new futsuusha car). Keicars are easily identified in
Japan by their smaller size and yellow license plates (please see the comparison
photo above) as well as their cute design and interesting English names.
A few of our personal favorites include the Daihatsu "Naked" the Suzuki "Every
Join" and the Honda "Today Humming".
Research on Keicar:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keicar
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