A Kei truck, or Kei class truck, or Japanese mini truck is a mini truck, a tiny but practical pickup truck available in RWD or 4WD version, built to satisfy the Japanese keijidōsha statutory class. They are known as Keitora in Japan alongside the microvan.
Design
The Kei truck class specifies a maximum size and displacement, greatly increased since legislation first enabled the type in 1949. They evolved from earlier three-wheeled trucks based on motorcycles with a small load carrying area, called san-rin, which were popular in Japan before the war. The 1998 law admits a maximum length of, a maximum width of and a maximum height of with a maximum displacement of 660 cc. They weigh about, and when ungoverned can reach up to. Due to the limits established with regards to vehicle length, most, if not all, current trucks in this classification are built with the "cab over" approach to maximize load-carrying abilities - the Suzuki Mighty Boy is one of the rare historical exceptions. Despite the size and engine displacement most Kei trucks have a bed load capacity of nearly. For export markets, Kei trucks are usually fitted with bigger engines to allow them even more carrying capabilities. An Indonesian version of the originally 543 cc Suzuki Carry is currently built with a 1.6-liter unit – nearly three times larger. Typical manufacturers and model names include: Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Mazda / Autozam Scrum, Mitsubishi Minicab, and Daihatsu Hijet. The first model to be sold in Japan was in 1959, called the Kurogane Baby until 1962. Many of these have been produced under license abroad, such as the Piaggio Porter. In South Korea, Daewoo and Asia produced rebadged Suzuki Carry/Every and Daihatsu Hijet Van as Daewoo Labo/Damas, and the Asia/Kia Towner.
Uses
Widely employed throughout Asia in agriculture, fisheries, construction and even for firefighting, used models originally 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 to $12,000. Due to the progressive tax on used vehicles in Japan many of the trucks arrive in excellent condition with very low mileage. They are built with a strong full box frame design with fully enclosed cabs, seat belts, windshield wipers, AM radios, heaters, lights, and signals, catalytic converters, and are claimed to run on of gasoline. They generally have 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 do generally have the standard equipment required for US roadways such as seat belts, approved lighting, horn and US standard "AS1/AS2" safety glass, they must pass state safety inspections where required. They are approved for use on local roads in several states while other states do not have any special legislation regarding them. There has been some controversy regarding their use on US roadways largely caused by an outdated report by the non legislative American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The report, issued in 2011, raised concerns about the safety and emission compliance of Kei trucks. At the time of the report, there was limited data available regarding the vehicles but the concerns have largely been dismissed as jurisdictions have become more knowledgeable. Since 2010, many common uses in the US include campus maintenance vehicles, landscape and property maintenance, delivery vehicles, agricultural uses, golf courses, construction sites, small business transportation and advertisement and private recreational and homeowner use. More recently fire departments, ambulance companies and even some police agencies have incorporated Kei trucks in to their fleets due to the extreme versatility, durability and low cost compared to other utility type vehicles. State legislation passed during 2008 in Oklahoma and Louisiana are the most liberal, prohibiting their use only on interstate highways. Kei vehicles older than 25 years may be imported into the US with very few restrictions. Such companies as Auto Portal Co, Ltd in Osaka, Japan are a constant exporter of Kei trucks to dealers in North America.
