President Trump said he approves “tiny cars” to be built in the U.S. after he expressed admiration for the popular Asian cars this week.
Kei cars are compact vehicles from Japan that are popular throughout Asia.
“I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “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!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW!”
During an Oval Office announcement Wednesday about new fuel economy standards, Mr. Trump called the cars “very small and really cute.”
“It’s sort of like the Beetle used to be with the Volkswagen,” Mr. Trump said. “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.’”
He said he directed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to drop the barriers against the cars’ production in the U.S.
Mr. Duffy told CNBC, “If there’s a market for those vehicles, I want to give our manufacturers the opportunity to build those cars.”
He added, “It’s going to clear the deck, clear the rules and let them build those small cars. … Vehicles that work in cities, and if that’s where you drive, it could be a great solution for you. And by the way, much more affordable than other options that are on the market today.”
Mr. Trump also rolled back the Biden-era Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which regulate how far a vehicle must travel on a gallon of gas to reduce oil use and emissions.
