Keicars, also called
keijidousha (in
Japanese: 軽自動車), 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.
- 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
see also List of automobiles
- Daihatsu Mira, also called the Cuore (sold with some minor changes in Europe)
- Daihatsu Copen (also a Convertible)
- 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)
- Official association (http://www.zenkeijikyo.or.jp) 全国軽自動車協会連合会 (Japanese)
- Honda Beat (http://www.honda.co.jp/HOT/ModelData/beat/bt-k-105/) (Japanese)
- Honda Beat (http://www.u-ukhbc.co.uk/)
- Mazda AZ-1 (http://members.rogers.com/sofronov/Cars/Mazda/Past/Piston/92AZ-1.html)
- Smart K (http://www.smart-j.com/profile/model/index_k.html) (Japanese)
- Suzuki Cappuccino (http://www.suzuki-cappuccino.com/home.html)