Might be the title of the demise of the 'loveable' Japanese under .66 liter category of very light and small vehicles! Quite useable in the dense urban traffic, as well as tiny trucks, favored by farmers to carry crates of produce around tight mountain passes. They are popular because of obvious great mpg, preferential lower taxation and value/affordability in a wobbly national economy. Many buyers have downsized from 'normal' cars to K's. They have a steady sales growth in the country. But because of its success, the national government wants to prop up regular car sales - so they hit the market with a higher sales tax, higher gas tax and even 50% higher kei car tax! The historically low taxation was a vestige of post-war recovery measures to help the Japanese afford vehicles. By bullying the inexpensive car buyers, taxation is now comparable to normal sized cars. The gov'ment along with the Japanese car manufacturers are intentionally killing the segment off. They pragmatically reasoned that the niche/Japan-only market is wasting R&D money and intruding production capacity to more profitable larger & luxury cars. Many car manufacturers are reducing their future kei product planning. Some agree that there is NO need for kei cars (in their home market). Enlightened companies can see their kei designs for sizable export markets; India, Southwest Asia, etc.
That's packaging!