I had a Wrangler 4xe as a loaner when my 300 was getting a few minor things fixed under warranty.  I managed to drive it in pure electric mode for about 90% of the time, just keeping it charged up at home with the included Level 1 charger.

Thanks to Trump and Musk there won’t be an NHTSA soon, and voila - no more pesky recalls for anyone.

I think the best benefit is that it can go 145 miles JUST on the battery without having to run the ICE. So I’m betting the combined MPG for most people will be pretty good. But I don’t know how the generator cycles based on battery level, so until this thing is in the real world it’s anyone’s guess probably 😄

I just contacted their website and left a message:

And the 25 year rule applies to road vehicles - people import newer ones because they are cheaper and more practical than utility vehicles for farm work. More visibility = more people looking into them = more people buying them for “off-road” use = no more payday for companies making utility sideXsides.

I bet you that its UTV OEMs lobbying to have em shut down more than anything else.

Kei cars are clearly bleeding these organizations dry. Never understimate the pettiness of corporations.

Maybe. They are versatile while being cost effective. I mean, haha look at this little Mitsu, Dayum you know how easily you could get work done with this thing!? Haul some Mulch, AND dump it? yes please.

“Also, bear in mind that a car going 5 mph under the speed limit is more likely to cause a crash than a car going 5 mph over.”

I spy some suspects:

The only thing I can think of is they’re very focussed on the pickups, so it seems like it must be something to do with farmers getting them instead of those utility side-by-side things.

Either that or someone who’s selling a computer system that can only handle standard VINs.

Only about 7,500 kei cars were imported into the entire US last year, and the 25 year rule means that there is an extremely finite supply of them that can be imported.

My father rode motorcycles when he and our mother were young and married and didn’t have kids, and then shortly after their first kid (I’m one of four), he had a really serious crash that he was VERY lucky to walk away from unscathed. He and my mom decided that was a sign for him to retire from riding.

So I took a look through AAMVA’s financials (since they’re a non-profit, it’s all public), and it appears to get most of its money from dues. Membership has two tiers, Jurisdiction (restricted to government entities) and Associate (everyone else). The first is members-only, but the Associate list is right on their web…

I would much rather drive one of these adorable little guys than the massive monster trucks that have far less actual utility that are currently clogging up US roadways.

This organization tried to pull this stunt in MA, as noted. But MA citizens pushed back and Kei’s are now allowed in MA.

they are rather popular where I live ( Montreal ). I see a ton of them everyday.

$4500?  Haha, fuck those guys.

$4500 for what should be the base transmission? This is an interesting form of customer focused engagement.  After no one buys it because it is too expensive, they will kill it again and blame it on lack of demand.

Ok now give us a 2 door gladiator.