Discover Kei Cars, the small city cars that thrive in Japan

There are many types of vehicles designed for very specific uses, with many models so that potential buyers can choose the one that best fits their needs. Some types of vehicles succeed in every market, such as saloons, SUVs or, more recently, pick-ups. Others, however, seem limited to very specific markets, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to find them outside those markets. One of these exclusive vehicles is the Kei Car.

But what is a Kei Car? Basically, it is a small city car, which became popular in Japan after the Second World War, as a way for citizens to move about freely and to help Japan overcome the serious crisis it was experiencing at the time. The tax advantages enjoyed by vehicles measuring less than 2.8 metres and with an engine of up to 100 cc led many manufacturers to begin producing this type of car, designed for cheap and efficient mobility.

In Europe, this type of car also appeared during the post-war era, with several models from different brands. In Spain, for example, the Biscuter was very popular, with its door at the front. While they disappeared in Europe, they remained very popular in Japan and, in fact, today it is a type of city car that continues to be one of the favourites among the Japanese for getting around town.

The tax advantages for Kei Cars currently apply to cars up to 3.4 metres in length and 1.48 metres in width, with a maximum engine displacement of 660 cc, which gives today’s Kei Cars a certain substance, with outputs reaching 64 CV. The traffic density of Japanese cities favours this type of vehicle, which pollutes less and has become a more responsible way of getting around the city streets.

Today there are many Kei Car models from several manufacturers. It is no longer just a matter of having practical, low-pollution, highly functional cars for the city. Kei Cars are a small indulgence, which have stopped being cheap to buy, although they remain cheap to run. Their shape is very recognisable, as almost all of them are boxy, a form that is very practical for a compact car with quite a lot of interior space.

For those who like to indulge themselves, there are convertible bodies, “sporty” models, special editions and many ways to personalise these small city cars. Could these small, low-pollution cars be a solution to the pollution problems of Europe’s big cities? For now, they are not very successful outside Japan, but they could be a good solution. Did you know about Kei Cars?