i am an American retired in the Philippines. I bought a suzuki DA 64 minivan when I moved here last year and I am really happy with it I live in the City of Cebu and it gets around quite well in city driving. They are called surplus vehicles here. There is a whole industry devoted to rebuilding these cars and changing them to left hand drive. Kei cars come to the Philippines after the Japanese are done with them and they see a new life in the Philippines. I paid 260,000 pesos ($4500) for mine and I think I got a good deal.
I visited Japan in September 2023 and the moment I saw those K cars, I just fell in love with them coz they look so cute and yet very nice. I wish they can bring some of these into the land down under.
We use an older model 4x4 Turbo HiJet at our small farm in Scone (like the gray one in the end but ours is white), it was cheap reliable plus it's a tipper. Some of the smaller farms here in AU are using them more these days, cheap reliable workhorses. Bloody great these things!
Some comments, additions, corrections: -While $1 (100 cents) to 100 yen was a close approximation just a few years ago, starting shortly after this video the conversion has dropped to 75 cents to the 100 yen and is currently down around 66 cents to the 100 yen. So a "$12000 USD" truck would actually be $8000 at the current exchange rate as of early December 2023. -Keis aren't just popular with women or thrifty people, many people in America are buying EPA/NHTSA exempt 25+ year old examples because they're so fun to drive, easy to work on, and can be parked anywhere. I also saw many men driving them when I was in Japan as well, I wouldn't say there was much of a gender split nor that they're just for people with kids, they're just a great all around everything vehicle. Price and tax/inspection incentives aside, so many roads are so narrow and it's just so much easier to get around in a kei in Japan and sometimes they even have special parking that can make finding a parking spot easier. -While they're not sporty in the Western "high horsepower" sense, they're actually really fun to drive (especially with a manual!) because the small displacement high revving engine usually sounds really good somewhat like a sports bike or race car, so you get to blast down the street rowing through gears and get the involvement level of driving a race car and then realize you haven't even hit the speed limit yet. They are also a blast in mountain corners if the center of gravity is low on that model because you can maneuver within your lane and actually run a racing line instead of carefully trying to stay between the lines like a larger/wider car. -You'd be surprised how well taller people can fit in kei sports cars, many Americans have imported the early 90's "ABC" kei sports cars and a large portion are over 6 feet tall. The car may be small, but the passenger compartment is similar to other cars, it's mostly the smaller engine and cargo area that shrinks the footprint. Jeremy Clarkson at 6'4" even drove and did a review of the Honda Beat in the early 90's! -While officially many keis (esp turbos) are rated at 64 horsepower, dyno tests have proven that number to be a lie. Like the 276 hp gentleman's agreement with sports cars in Japan in the 90's, keis had a similar agreement to 64 hp that they've regularly broken since. It's not uncommon for some keis to be over 80hp stock and that's a decent amount for a car that weighs well under 2000 lbs sometimes even with a driver. They're never *fast*, but some do get off the line very quickly. -Overall, I love them, if I can help it I will always own a kei at least as a non-primary vehicle (mostly because parts availability can be tricky in the US so relying on it isn't a great idea). I don't know if it's possible to get other American's on board since they've been obsessed with larger and larger vehicles for so long, but it would save a lot of congestion and make parking more efficient if they were more available and popular here, not to mention save people a ton on gas without needing hybrid complication and battery replacements.
The exchange rate with the yen and the dollar changed a lot this year. The yen is really weak now. A lot of families have a Kei car as a second car. You are right some men do drive them. Thanks for watching and commenting I appreciate it.
I live in the U.S. in the state of Indiana, I work at the only Subaru plant outside Japan, last week I bought a 1994 Subaru Sambar KS4 kei truck. Can't wait till it gets here. In most of the U.S. you can import and license a kei vehicle as long as it is 25 years or older. That way they are considered classic cars and are not required to meet crash safety standards.
I'm English and Daihatsu Copen has been on sale here for years in 660cc Turbo and identical but not classed as a kei with a 1300 4 cylinder engine..Kei cars and trucks are seen on our roads from all ages there not common but you do see them, also Daihatsu is owned by Toyota just like lexus.
I'd have one tomorrow if the prices in the UK weren't so ridiculous. A 10 year old Sambar with 100,000KM behind it is more here than a brand new, factory fresh one is in Japan!
Thanks for the interesting video. I find those small cars really nice and cosy, profitable to own and good enough to drive. Japanese are so practical, I love that
That is correct. It is a big thing they are not making Daihatsu’s at the moment. All the lines have been shut down. I don’t think they are selling them either I went passed the one in Nishio where I taken videos and there were no cars there. It will be interesting to see what happens in the new year.
Why do you start showing non-Kei cars at the 05:20 mark? Those cars are so-called "mid-sized" cars with bigger engines and bigger car taxes. Someone else has already commented that your Yen to Dollar exchange rate is way off, unless you are talking Australian dollars.
I made this video about 2 years ago. The yen to Australian dollar has changed a lot in 2 years the bottom has fallen out of it. They were at the Daihatsu dealership I just showing how they badge Toyota’s as Daihatsu.
@@larrikinjapan Thanks for the video. I live in Japan and have a 2006 Daihatsu Mira, It's been very reliable. The so-called shakens every two years are very annoying. I haven't found an honest repair shop yet. What is always advertised as a 60,000 Yen shaken inspection always ends up being 100,000 Yen for ostensible "additional repairs."
i live in the netherlands and i'd rather drive one of these, only concern i have is, how does it drive at 130km/h on the highway. kei cars are often much more convenient than regular small cars here... and i would need 5 seats and i actually checked, these are not skinnier than the suzuki alto 1995 that my mom used to have, and in that one you had "space" for 5 people (and yes, space is an overstatement for that car, but still, 3 seats in the back)
That’s right. Also 3 adults in the back would be a tight squeeze. 100 ~ 110 is fine they drive them on the highways here at that speed. They are light cross winds knocks them around.
@@larrikinjapanI own a high one - N-box, and I can't agree with you. They are not more affected by winds than regular cars. ---- I've tried 120 km/h and it's struggling maintaining this speed(4600 rpm). You will have like 20 km/l at 100 km/h but only 15 km/l at 120. Just not worth it for me.
Goedemorgen! I owned a Subaru Libero (LP-DS-54) in the Netherlands up until a few months ago. It was a six-seater but be warned: Parts are HARD to come by. It's why I sold mine. I am currently negotiating with FDT Sports Cars in Almere if a first gen Honda N-box is financially viable. As for wind and driving quality: It's fine as long as you have the right tires: My little cab-over recommended reinforced tires (bedrijfswagenbanden) and that improved riding quality immensely. Good luck with your search!
No US dollars. I think most people relate to them. I have not lived in Australia for 27 years I only go on what my sister and brother tell me on how much things cost there.
The only keis I can think about now are Mitsubishi EK X EV and Nissan Sakura because they are electric. Power is limited to 47kw or 64 bhp but you can have a lot more torque out of electric motors.
for these small cars to become popular purely psychologically, they should cost no more than $5,000 fully equipped and, of course, with left-hand drive, but this will not happen, so the prospects are not obvious
Kei car or truck or van is an excellent second car in a family. This car should be used much more in Europe, especially in urban areas, where they have excellent fuel efficiency. On country roads kei car are not as good as other cars but on relatively flat areas they can reach 70-75 Km/h, no problem. Many thanks for the wonderful video.
Hi, thanks for the tour and info on the Daihatsu Kei vehicles. Very interesting little vehicles. Super reliable and efficient
I am glad you enjoyed it.
i am an American retired in the Philippines. I bought a suzuki DA 64 minivan when I moved here last year and I am really happy with it I live in the City of Cebu and it gets around quite well in city driving. They are called surplus vehicles here. There is a whole industry devoted to rebuilding these cars and changing them to left hand drive. Kei cars come to the Philippines after the Japanese are done with them and they see a new life in the Philippines. I paid 260,000 pesos ($4500) for mine and I think I got a good deal.
That is good they live on for a bit longer.
In Japan, the kei car can only be licensed for so many years. After that, they either go to the junkyard or are exported to secondary markets.
I visited Japan in September 2023 and the moment I saw those K cars, I just fell in love with them coz they look so cute and yet very nice. I wish they can bring some of these into the land down under.
You can import them into Australia. Watch Mighty Car Mods they did.
We use an older model 4x4 Turbo HiJet at our small farm in Scone (like the gray one in the end but ours is white), it was cheap reliable plus it's a tipper.
Some of the smaller farms here in AU are using them more these days, cheap reliable workhorses. Bloody great these things!
The Kei trucks are very popular here most people where I am have one.
Some comments, additions, corrections:
-While $1 (100 cents) to 100 yen was a close approximation just a few years ago, starting shortly after this video the conversion has dropped to 75 cents to the 100 yen and is currently down around 66 cents to the 100 yen. So a "$12000 USD" truck would actually be $8000 at the current exchange rate as of early December 2023.
-Keis aren't just popular with women or thrifty people, many people in America are buying EPA/NHTSA exempt 25+ year old examples because they're so fun to drive, easy to work on, and can be parked anywhere. I also saw many men driving them when I was in Japan as well, I wouldn't say there was much of a gender split nor that they're just for people with kids, they're just a great all around everything vehicle. Price and tax/inspection incentives aside, so many roads are so narrow and it's just so much easier to get around in a kei in Japan and sometimes they even have special parking that can make finding a parking spot easier.
-While they're not sporty in the Western "high horsepower" sense, they're actually really fun to drive (especially with a manual!) because the small displacement high revving engine usually sounds really good somewhat like a sports bike or race car, so you get to blast down the street rowing through gears and get the involvement level of driving a race car and then realize you haven't even hit the speed limit yet. They are also a blast in mountain corners if the center of gravity is low on that model because you can maneuver within your lane and actually run a racing line instead of carefully trying to stay between the lines like a larger/wider car.
-You'd be surprised how well taller people can fit in kei sports cars, many Americans have imported the early 90's "ABC" kei sports cars and a large portion are over 6 feet tall. The car may be small, but the passenger compartment is similar to other cars, it's mostly the smaller engine and cargo area that shrinks the footprint. Jeremy Clarkson at 6'4" even drove and did a review of the Honda Beat in the early 90's!
-While officially many keis (esp turbos) are rated at 64 horsepower, dyno tests have proven that number to be a lie. Like the 276 hp gentleman's agreement with sports cars in Japan in the 90's, keis had a similar agreement to 64 hp that they've regularly broken since. It's not uncommon for some keis to be over 80hp stock and that's a decent amount for a car that weighs well under 2000 lbs sometimes even with a driver. They're never *fast*, but some do get off the line very quickly.
-Overall, I love them, if I can help it I will always own a kei at least as a non-primary vehicle (mostly because parts availability can be tricky in the US so relying on it isn't a great idea). I don't know if it's possible to get other American's on board since they've been obsessed with larger and larger vehicles for so long, but it would save a lot of congestion and make parking more efficient if they were more available and popular here, not to mention save people a ton on gas without needing hybrid complication and battery replacements.
The exchange rate with the yen and the dollar changed a lot this year. The yen is really weak now. A lot of families have a Kei car as a second car. You are right some men do drive them. Thanks for watching and commenting I appreciate it.
I love so much those reasonable cars ! The Honda N-One is particularly smart and very nice !
Your right they are a good car.
sucks we dont get much k stuff here in the uk man 8(
nice vids keep them coming sir 8)
I am Saudi and we do not care about cars K Practical, very economical and very beautiful cars, but the local agent wronged them😞
Thanks for the tour❤
Unfortunately Japanes Brands have stopped selling those in Europe- Would love to get one here .
That is unfortunate
I live in the U.S. in the state of Indiana, I work at the only Subaru plant outside Japan, last week I bought a 1994 Subaru Sambar KS4 kei truck. Can't wait till it gets here. In most of the U.S. you can import and license a kei vehicle as long as it is 25 years or older. That way they are considered classic cars and are not required to meet crash safety standards.
A 28 year old kei truck that's an old one. I hope you have a lot of fun with it. Thanks for watching i hope you enjoyed it.
I'm English and Daihatsu Copen has been on sale here for years in 660cc Turbo and identical but not classed as a kei with a 1300 4 cylinder engine..Kei cars and trucks are seen on our roads from all ages there not common but you do see them, also Daihatsu is owned by Toyota just like lexus.
Kei cars and trucks are everywhere here. You are right about Toyota but here they are seen as two different companies.
I'd have one tomorrow if the prices in the UK weren't so ridiculous. A 10 year old Sambar with 100,000KM behind it is more here than a brand new, factory fresh one is in Japan!
I know that’s just crazy. 100,000 km it’s worn out. 100,000 km here is like 200,000 in Australia. Its all stop start running hard on engines.
I wish I could get the k vehicles easily in usa!!
A lot of people do.
cool little trucks, especially the mini dump truck. Th Rocky is also nice. Probably best for running local errands.
The Rocky is very popular.
Super interesting video. I've always been curious about kei cars
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
Thanks for the interesting video. I find those small cars really nice and cosy, profitable to own and good enough to drive. Japanese are so practical, I love that
Thanks for sharing. Glad you enjoyed it.
thank you, appreciate the tour.
Glad you enjoyed it
Love your videos. Very informative. Thank you !!!
Glad you like them!
The Daihatsu/Toyota models are being recalled for faking crash tests - different airbags etc.
That is correct. It is a big thing they are not making Daihatsu’s at the moment. All the lines have been shut down. I don’t think they are selling them either I went passed the one in Nishio where I taken videos and there were no cars there. It will be interesting to see what happens in the new year.
Blog also the da17 boss as well as the Suzuki pallete
I will look into them
That's what most people need; We don't need 300 hp to go grocery shopping.
That is right. You don’t need a 300 hp car on the street can’t use it unless you take it to the track.
嫁がKカーに大体が乗ってます、買い物には300馬力はいりません、私も休みはKカーで買い物に行きます、楽しくて快適です
I love the Thor Taff :)
The Thor is the same as the Toyota Roomy and Tank same car just different name. Good cars very popular.
Why do you start showing non-Kei cars at the 05:20 mark? Those cars are so-called "mid-sized" cars with bigger engines and bigger car taxes. Someone else has already commented that your Yen to Dollar exchange rate is way off, unless you are talking Australian dollars.
I made this video about 2 years ago. The yen to Australian dollar has changed a lot in 2 years the bottom has fallen out of it. They were at the Daihatsu dealership I just showing how they badge Toyota’s as Daihatsu.
@@larrikinjapan Thanks for the video. I live in Japan and have a 2006 Daihatsu Mira, It's been very reliable. The so-called shakens every two years are very annoying. I haven't found an honest repair shop yet. What is always advertised as a 60,000 Yen shaken inspection always ends up being 100,000 Yen for ostensible "additional repairs."
i live in the netherlands and i'd rather drive one of these, only concern i have is, how does it drive at 130km/h on the highway. kei cars are often much more convenient than regular small cars here... and i would need 5 seats and i actually checked, these are not skinnier than the suzuki alto 1995 that my mom used to have, and in that one you had "space" for 5 people (and yes, space is an overstatement for that car, but still, 3 seats in the back)
I would not like to drive one at 130km/h I think it would be very scary. Kei cars are only 4 seats in Japan by law.
@@larrikinjapan ahh, so the 4 seats thing is due to the laws, i think it wouldn't be applicable here then i guess. what about 100-110 km/h?
That’s right. Also 3 adults in the back would be a tight squeeze. 100 ~ 110 is fine they drive them on the highways here at that speed. They are light cross winds knocks them around.
@@larrikinjapanI own a high one - N-box, and I can't agree with you. They are not more affected by winds than regular cars.
----
I've tried 120 km/h and it's struggling maintaining this speed(4600 rpm). You will have like 20 km/l at 100 km/h but only 15 km/l at 120. Just not worth it for me.
Goedemorgen! I owned a Subaru Libero (LP-DS-54) in the Netherlands up until a few months ago. It was a six-seater but be warned: Parts are HARD to come by. It's why I sold mine.
I am currently negotiating with FDT Sports Cars in Almere if a first gen Honda N-box is financially viable.
As for wind and driving quality: It's fine as long as you have the right tires: My little cab-over recommended reinforced tires (bedrijfswagenbanden) and that improved riding quality immensely.
Good luck with your search!
I'm looking for basic 4 seater ones! What are the prices!
I will see what I can find out.
I owuld live to buy one! we have to wait 25 years before we can import them to the USA
That is crazy. A 25 year old Kei would not be worth buying.
@@larrikinjapan Here in the US there is lots of people buying the KEI Mini Trucks, some of them have low miles and are 4x4.
@@rafaelbetancourt3551 I have seen that they are getting popular there.
Nice car. Are you an exporter cars?
No sorry I don’t export cars.
When you say dollars instead of yen are you referring to Australian dollars ?
No US dollars. I think most people relate to them. I have not lived in Australia for 27 years I only go on what my sister and brother tell me on how much things cost there.
The only keis I can think about now are Mitsubishi EK X EV and Nissan Sakura because they are electric. Power is limited to 47kw or 64 bhp but you can have a lot more torque out of electric motors.
That is true. I would like to have an electric car myself.
in kenya we luv em got three i use as taxis
That’s great
11k for a base model? That's a lot.
For a base model now is something like 7 to 8k with the exchange rate.
for these small cars to become popular purely psychologically, they should cost no more than $5,000 fully equipped and, of course, with left-hand drive, but this will not happen, so the prospects are not obvious
You’re right they will never make them left hand drive.
You can have one here in Philippines for 4k US.
I like it cars, can I count
Thanks for watching
I wish DAIHATSU have them in the Philippines..its a practical Car
They are good cars
they do have daihatsu in the philipines, but not these specific models.
I want one so bad! But the powers that be in US say no. I hope that changes.
They are probably looking after the American manufacturing.
i think they great , i wish they sold them here in south africa, we dont have much cheap cars
They are good cheap transportation
Daihatsu may make the most Kei but Suzuki Kei cars are the best selling in Japan
you might be right about Suzuki selling more cars.
i use kei car for daily driver its a Nissan Dayz.
A very good and popular car.
If only Kei cars could be sold here in the U.S. Ford, GM, and Stellantis would pee in there pants.
You are right there.
Like bring here in the Philippines Daihatsu kei van tnx
Glad you liked it
I'd like to see the same video but at a Suzuki dealership. Suzuki range of Kei In my opinion is better
I can make one about Suzuki cars. Swift is a very popular car, too.
Germany 2024:
Daihatsu Cuore
20€ct/km total costs
Is that good or bad I am not sure?
Apparently Japanese women enjoy good gas mileage more than Japanese men
Most families have 2 car so they have a Kei car as a second car. They save money on tax and petrol.
Kei car or truck or van is an excellent second car in a family. This car should be used much more in Europe, especially in urban areas, where they have excellent fuel efficiency. On country roads kei car are not as good as other cars but on relatively flat areas they can reach 70-75 Km/h, no problem. Many thanks for the wonderful video.
Women are shorter and smaller than men and therefore they better fit kei cars.