President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has approved the production of “tiny cars” in the United States, calling them “inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!!”
Trump stated that manufacturers have long wanted to produce small cars domestically, similar to models successfully built in other countries. He emphasized that these vehicles could be powered by gasoline, electric, or hybrid systems.
"I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America," Trump wrote. "Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries."
Trump thanked the Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, and Department of Environment for supporting the initiative. He urged manufacturers to begin production immediately.
Trump pushes to bring Japan’s Kei Cars to US
Trump has announced plans to allow Japan’s ultra-compact Kei cars to be made and sold in the United States, despite concerns about their size and speed on American highways.
“They’re very small, they’re really cute, and I said ‘How would that do in this country?’” Trump told reporters on Wednesday at the White House. “But we’re not allowed to make them in this country and I think you’re gonna do very well with those cars, so we’re gonna approve those cars.”
Trump said he has authorized Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to approve production and relax certain Biden-era fuel efficiency standards to accommodate the vehicles.
Mini-cars to enter cities
Kei cars, popular in Asia, are tailored to narrow streets and have limited horsepower. They currently do not meet US federal standards for new vehicles.
Secretary Duffy told CNBC on Thursday that the small size of the vehicles might not make them suitable for highways. “Are they going to work on the freeways? Probably not,” Duffy said. He added that the cars are “much more affordable than the other options that are on the market today,” making them ideal for urban commuting.
