Keicar

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.

Table of contents 1 History and Regulations 2 Manufacturers 3 Famous Example Cars 4 External links

History and Regulations

• 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

Manufacturers see also List of automobiles

• Daihatsu
• Suzuki
• Honda
• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
• Nissan
• Mazda
• Subaru
• Smart (the only non-japanese company)

Famous Example Cars

• 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)

External links

• 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)
• Smart K (http://www.smart-j.com/profile/model/index_k) (Japanese)
• Suzuki Cappuccino (http://www.suzuki-cappuccino.com/home)