Business idea: Would you buy a Kei car in the US?

[Frank Lee]

Slap on some aftermarket indicators?

[Occasionally6]

It might be an issue that (Japanese spec.) Kei cars are RHD only. Not from a legislative point of view but that buyers may not like it. (I wouldn't.)

[PressEnter[]]

I'd certainly consider one, but probably as a second car for my in-town trips.

[Honda100]

Originally Posted by Occasionally6

It might be an issue that (Japanese spec.) Kei cars are RHD only. Not from a legislative point of view but that buyers may not like it. (I wouldn't.)

Actually, there are a few people (just casual interest) that have shown interest in RHD vehicles because of delivery services (like mail trucks are RHD).

However, unknown to many people is that Kei cars are available in LHD (even JDM ones). Sure it's not readily available to a retail person trying to import, but you can find plenty of them if you know where to look. I personally have a Suzuki Super Carry which is left hand drive, not converted.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

Actually, there are a few people (just casual interest) that have shown interest in RHD vehicles because of delivery services (like mail trucks are RHD).

Not just about that, but RHD also being perceived as an exotic feature might increase the interest.

[Honda100]

JDM spec yo! If I was importing JDM Civics and such, probably, but most of the people who have asked if I was going to import Kei cars wanted LHD ones.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

JDM spec yo! If I was importing JDM Civics and such, probably, but most of the people who have asked if I was going to import Kei cars wanted LHD ones.

Among the Kei cars I've seen in Brazil, almost every LHD had a larger 800cc engine, only the late Subaru Vivio retained a real Kei-class engine.

[Honda100]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Among the Kei cars I've seen in Brazil, almost every LHD had a larger 800cc engine, only the late Subaru Vivio retained a real Kei-class engine.

Which is lucky because that's one thing that is a better fit for the "power hungry" U.S. My Super Carry is LHD and uses a 656? or 658 motor, but truthfully, I think the 53 bhp is overrated by Suzuki because it's considerably weaker than my 800cc Hyundai, which also has 53 bhp supposedly.

I remember when the Civic was available with a 1.3 liter motor in the US and I bought one. Turns out almost every Civic that was sold of that generation was sold with a 1.5 liter, and if you look at the market now, they're up to 2 and 2.4 liter engines! Power, that's what people want, and fuel economy, and low emissions, etc.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Honda100

My Super Carry is LHD and uses a 656? or 658 motor, but truthfully, I think the 53 bhp is overrated by Suzuki because it's considerably weaker than my 800cc Hyundai, which also has 53 bhp supposedly.

I believe that was overrated, but also we might consider the lower torque. But there are also some turbocharged Kei cars which have a torque rating closest to a 1.2L gasser.

[kirkerik]

i have to say i'd be interested! LHD or RHD, i'm easy...