Keicar

Keicars (K-cars), also called keijidousha (in Japanese: 軽自動車), are small passenger cars as well as trucks. They are mainly sold in Japan, because there are some tax and insurance relaxations and an exemption from the usual requirement of proof of parking. Keicars are available with turbo-charged engines, automatic transmission, 4-Wheel-Drive as well as Hybrids.

History and regulations

• 1949 July 8 first regulations
  • length: up to 2.8 m
  • width: up to 1 m
  • height: up to 2 m
  • engine displacement: up to 150 cm³ (4 stroke), up to 100 cm³ (2 stroke)
• 1950 July 26 major changes
  • length: up to 3 m
  • width: up to 1.3 m
  • displacement: up to 300 cm³ (4 stroke), up to 200 cm³ (2 stroke)
• 1951 August 16 minor changes
  • displacement up to 360 cm&sup3 (4 stroke), up to 240 cm³ (2 stroke)
• 1955 April 4 minor changes
  • no further differentiation between 2 stroke and 4 stroke: all up to 360 cm³
• 1976 January 1 major changes
  • length: up to 3.2 m
  • width: up to 1.4 m
  • displacement: up to 550 cm³
• 1984 January 1 medium changes
  • length: up to 3.4 m
  • displacement: up to 660 cm³
• 1998 October 1 today's regulations
  • length: 3.4 m or less
  • width: 1.48 m or less
  • height: 2 m or less
  • displacement: 660 cm³ or less

Manufacturers of keicars

• Daihatsu
• Suzuki
• Honda
• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
• Nissan
• Mazda
• Subaru
• Smart (the only non-Japanese company)

Famous example cars

• Daihatsu Mira, also called as Cuore (sold with some minor changes in Europe)
• Daihatsu Copen (a Convertible with a turbocharged engine, now sold in Europe)
• Honda Beat (a Fun-Convertible with a mid-engine and rear wheel drive)
• Mazda AZ-1 (turbocharged gullwing sports car)
• Mazda Carol (small sedan)
• Suzuki Cappuccino (also a Convertible, was also sold in UK)