Now in Japan, one of the world's leading automotive expos known as the Tokyo Motor Show 2019 is currently taking place. As is the case with automotive expos anywhere in this world definitely will showcase the latest and best automotive products made by local and foreign manufacturers.
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| Daihatsu Waku Waku concept on display at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/31QHX3q) |
At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, visitors will be spoiled by a variety of automotive products from domestic and foreign countries as well. But there is something that tickles the eye and looks so unique that it's hard not to look there, where you can see many cutie cars on display in the booths of famous Japanese car manufacturers, such as Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota.
Maybe some of you will ask, 'What a kind of car is that?' Before answering it, it's good if we first look and aware of the cultural conditions of the people were different in each country, and so do the vehicle preferences of the population. If in America you might see a lot of large cars with abundant engine power running busy on the streets, but in Japan, you will be found a contrasting view, because in the country will be found many small cars both in terms of the size and the machine circulating on the highway.
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| Mitsubishi Super Height K-Wagon Concept on display at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2olyNy8) |
Well in Japan, these cutie cars are known as the Kei Car. And as far we know, the Kei Car itself is one of the best-selling car types in the land of the Rising Sun. Besides has the mini-sized body, turn out the engine used by it has a small capacity as well, an average of 660 cc. That's really small, right?
Although small and tiny, the automotive manufacturers that make it does not ignore the main rules in designing and making a good car in terms of shape, comfort, and safety as well.
What makes the Kei Car so popular in Japan? The main reason is the matter of taxes and insurance regulations issued by the Jap government based on the size of the vehicle. Yes, Kei Car or K-Car or Keijidosha (Light AutoMobile) is one of the legal small vehicle categories in Japan with engines below 660 cc, designed in response to the local regulations.
So the Kei Car has low taxes and insurance rates when compared to larger sized vehicles. In addition, the presence of Kei Car is a solution for car owners in Japan who are required to have a parking certificate.
Historically, the presence of Kei Car began in the post World War II period when Japan's economic conditions declined so that the purchasing power of Japanese people was below the normal-sized car budget. Perhaps this is one of the few examples of 'the fruit of patience is blessings.'
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| Daihatsu Tsumu Tsumu concept on display at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/31QHX3q) |
The development history of the Kei Car can be divided into 3 eras, namely the 300 cc era, from 1958 to the 1970s. Then the era of 550 cc, where the Kei Car engine and technology was developed slightly more modern. Followed by the 660 cc era, which began in the 1990s with the development of engines and implemented more innovative technology on Kei Car. Even now, they also pin the electric motor drive to follow today's automotive trends.
Unfortunately, the success of the Kei Car in the Japanese domestic market has not been able to penetrate markets outside Japan. This is because the engine used by a Kei Car is sometimes considered too small. Therefore in some countries choose to adopt by setting the formulation of Kei Cars to suitable the intended market (usually by replacing the engine capacity to be slightly larger.)
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADSHOW]
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