A Japanese-made car that was barred from vehicle registrations in Massachusetts is now allowed back on the roads.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that Kei trucks, cars and vans are now allowed to be registered as of Sept. 18.
Previously, officials stopped issuing registrations for Kei vehicles, citing concerns over whether they complied with federal safety standards.
The department said while the vehicles can now be registered, it still plans to conduct further safety reviews.
Some popular car models that qualify as Kei vehicles are the Honda Acty, Nissan Clipper and Toyota Lite Ace.
Here’s what to know.
What is a Kei car?
A Kei car is a small type of Japanese vehicle. The name comes from the Japanese word keijidōsha, which means “light automobile.”
According to Motor Trend, Kei cars are the smallest street-legal cars available in Japan. They were invented after World War 2 when people in Japan were buying motorcycles more than full-sized cars because they were not affordable, according to the outlet.
Some models of Kei cars include:
Honda ActyDaihatsu Hijet, Daihatsu AtraiSuzuki Carry, Suzuki EveryMitsubishi MinicabMazda Porter Cab or ScrumSubaru SambarIsuzu Mini TruckNissan ClipperToyota Lite Ace or Town AceWhy couldn’t Kei cars be registered in MA?
In July, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation added Kei cars to a list of vehicles that could not be registered in Massachusetts.
On the department’s website, it cited the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which says that vehicles can be imported into the United States from other countries if they are more than 25 years old.
“Under the 25-year rule, Kei mini trucks and vans can be lawfully imported into the U.S. even if they do not comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which these vehicles do not,” the department said on a now-archived page on its website.
In Tuesday’s release, the Registry of Motor Vehicles said it had “completed its preliminary assessment of industry standards” related to Kei cars.
“The RMV intends to register Kei vehicles while continuing to review safety implications of Kei vehicles on the public roadways,” the release said.
How to register a Kei car in Massachusetts
Kei vehicle owners can now register their cars at their local Registry of Motor Vehicles location. Registration application requirements are available online.
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Publish date : 2024-09-18 07:52:00
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