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, is a , when most Japanese could not afford a full-sized car yet had enough to buy a Motorcycle . To promote the growth of the car industry, as well as to offer an alternative delivery method to small business and shop owners, Kei car standards were created. The size of a Kei engine is limited to by law to 660 cc. This is roughly half the size of the weakest gasoline engines in economy cars sold in the U.S.. Kei cars typically fall in a weight range between 600 and 900 kg. As would be expected, they are very fuel efficient, with fuel consumption generally ranging between 17 and 27 kilometers per liter. People who are used to cars with much larger engines might assume that kei cars are grossly underpowered. However, kei cars are usually geared differently than larger cars, so that while they have a significantly lower top speed, they are able to handle a load of four adults adequately during everyday driving. Kei cars are driven on highways, although they don't perform as well at high speeds as cars with normal sized engines. People who have never visited Japan might also assume that kei cars are extremely small. However, because of modern technology and Japanese design styles that make cars "tall" with emphasis on head room, most kei cars feel roomy inside. Kei minivans are also very popular. Kei cars have become even larger in the last decade because of relaxations on size regulations and improved engine technology. Owners of kei cars enjoy numerous financial perks. Not only are kei cars cheap to buy, they are cheap to insure as well. They also get tax breaks on the yearly road tax, biannual car inspection and sometimes get a discount on highway tolls. Normal cars commonly pay a yearly road tax of 50,000 yen per year ( roughly 450 USD) while kei cars cost 7400 yen ( about 65 USD) Drawbacks to kei cars include a reputation for short engine life, as well as a higher risk of injury in an accident because of their light weight. The cars feature yellow Licence Plates , earning them the name "yellow-plate cars" (black numbers on yellow background for private use and yellow numbers on black background for commercial use) in English and Spanish -speaking circles. Automobiles , jetsetjapan.com "Shakoshomei 車庫証明(proof that you have a place to park your car)" , ''Driving in Tokachi'', city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp Because the regulations only restrict physical size, engine displacement and power, manufacturers have introduced many advanced technologies to the class. As a result, kei cars are often available with Forced Induction engines, Automatic and CVT transmissions, Front- , Rear- and Four-wheel Drive , Hybrid Drivetrains , Air Conditioning , GPS and many other features. HISTORY OF REGULATIONS KEI CAR MANUFACTURERS GALLERY |
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