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Keicars, also called keijidousha, are small passenger cars as well as
trucks. They are mainly (only) sold in Japan, because there are some tax and
insurance relaxations and no proof for a parking lot. 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 2.8m
- width: up to 1 m
- height: up to 2 m
- displacement: up to 150 cm³ (4cycle), up to 100 cm³ (2cycle)
1950 July 26 major changes
- length: up to 3 m
- width: up to 1.3m
- displacement: up to 300 cm³ (4cycle), up to 200 cm³ (2cycle)
1951 August 16 minor changes
- displacement up to 360 cm³ (4cycle), up to 240 cm³ (2cycle)
1955 April 4 minor changes
- no further differentiation between 2cycle and 4cycle: all up to 360
cm³
1976 January 1 major changes
- length: up to 3.2m
- width: up to 1.4m
- displacement: up to 550 cm³
1984 January 1 medium changes
- length: up to 3.4m
- displacement: up to 660 cm³
1998 October 1, today's regulations
- length: 3.4m or less
- width: 1.48m or less
- height: 2 m or less
- displacement: 660 cm³ or less
Manufacturers
- 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)
- Mazda AZ-1 (turbocharged gullwing sports car)
- Suzuki Cappucino (also a Convertible, was also sold in UK)
- Suzuki Wagon R+ (sold with some minor changes in Europe)
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