US roads and highways have historically followed the mantra"Go big or go home."for the past 40 years.
But things may be changing: While Americans still love trucks, those trucks may be getting smaller: Tiny and compact trucks are finding a market in the US, demonstrating that bigger doesn't always mean more popular., a designation given to Japanese-manufactured mini trucks of any brand with tiny engines and diminuitive statures, are emblematic of the trend. Their compact size makes them maneuverable and able to fit into tight spaces, while still having load capacity.
"Every single year for the past seven years, we've been increasing our sales overall, and a huge chunk of that is Kei vehicles," Matt Matusiak, the president of importer Japan Car Direct,They are also affordable, with theStill, the small vehicles have a long way to go before they threaten big mainstays: In 2022, for instance, Ford's F-series pickup accounted for the top selling vehicle in 14 states.
, Matusiak said. That rule exempts imported vehicles from certain federal standards, according to the agency.