Move over, Ford and Chevy: Kei trucks are pulling up as customers opt for smaller, cheaper vehicles

Wilshire@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 828 points –
Move over, Ford and Chevy: Kei trucks are pulling up as customers opt for smaller, cheaper vehicles
nbcnews.com
288

You are viewing a single comment

Kei trucks have the same, if not slightly bigger/smaller, bed size as a modern F-150. But they're basically the size of Honda Fits.

I've wanted one since I worked for USPS and learned to drive on the right side of a vehicle. My state does allow you to register them and drive them on the road, but alas, I cannot afford one. :(

Kei trucks only can carry like 800 pounds. I run a bar and regularly take my pickup truck, a 2500, to its bed capacity of roughly 3000 lbs. I've had it sitting low just in empties before. A Kei truck can't even haul my motorcycle if it breaks down. Now someone who's a full time contractor, would call that thing useless, a farmer might buy one instead of a John Deere gator or side by side. It'd be suitable for golf course maintenance.

Yep, I'm a contractor, I would absolutely only own one to use for work if I had a big property, and it'd be groundskeeping. Just FYI though, Kei trucks are used as contractor/work trucks in Japan, as are Kei vans.

But your average person's Home Depot trip isn't going to be close to what a contractor would use. And, just like what currently happens, if your vehicle can't handle an outlying circumstance, you either rent one that can or have the materials delivered.

So beyond work applications, and towing which most people don't need the size vehicle they have for what they're towing, modern pickup trucks are oversized and unnecessary for probably 95% of people.

ten sheets of 3/4 inch plywood is pushing the capacity of a Kei. That's right in the middle of homeowner use.

4 more...
4 more...