Trump Approves Production of Tiny Cars in the U.S.
President Donald Trump has given the green light for the manufacturing of “tiny cars” in the United States, a move aimed at enhancing affordable transportation options for Americans.
“I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America,” Trump shared on Truth Social. “Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid.”
“These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!!” Trump added. “START BUILDING THEM NOW! Thank you to the DOJ and the Departments of Transportation and Environment. ENJOY!!!”
This week, Trump expressed his fondness for Kei cars, which are small vehicles from Japan.
“They have a very small car. It’s sort of like the Beetle used to be with Volkswagen,” he mentioned. “They’re very small, they’re really cute. And I said, ‘How would that do in this country?’ And everyone seems to think good, but you’re not allowed to build them.”
Kei cars, which translates to “light vehicles” in Japanese, are designed to be affordable and fuel-efficient, ideal for navigating tight city streets. However, U.S. regulations have made it tough to import and register these vehicles. Furthermore, many newer models fail to meet U.S. safety standards.
Six states—namely Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont—prohibit the cars altogether, while others impose strict rules; for instance, Alabama limits their speed to just 25 miles per hour.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that while these tiny cars may not be suited for highways, they could serve urban settings effectively. He suggested they might offer cheaper options for consumers, especially as new car prices have spiked by over 30% since 2020, now averaging more than $50,000.
This initiative could also lead to new manufacturing jobs in the U.S.
Interestingly, last month, Toyota revealed plans to invest $912 million in U.S. manufacturing across five states. CEO Aiko Toyoda made an appearance at a NASCAR event alongside U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, while donning MAGA merchandise.
