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NHK World recently interviewed kei truck owners and a dealer in Pennsylvania about the Japanese mini-trucks’ appeal in the United States. The report also highlights the legal patchwork: federal rules allow imports at least 25 years old, but some states restrict their registration for public roads.
NHK World, Japan’s public broadcaster, has published a report from Pennsylvania featuring Americans who own and sell kei trucks, small Japanese utility vehicles drawing interest for their size and practical uses. The interviews also touch on a continuing obstacle for owners: while federal rules permit imports of vehicles at least 25 years old, some states do not allow them to be registered for public-road use.
The report visits Lancaster Mini Truck, a Pennsylvania dealership run by Jake Simpson, and interviews Americans about why they have bought the vehicles. Simpson said he got his first mini truck five years ago and attracted so much attention while driving it that he decided to make the interest a business. He told NHK World he now imports about 15 to 20 trucks a month.
Simpson described the trucks as a “no-brainer” for some buyers. He pointed to four-wheel-drive options, fuel economy of around 40 miles per gallon, and prices of roughly $6,000 to $8,000 at his dealership. In the report, he compares a kei truck’s bed length with that of a late-model Ram 3500 crew cab, and notes that the smaller truck’s bed sides fold down for loading.
The report says an estimated 30,000 kei trucks were imported into the United States over the past five years. It does not provide a separate data source or methodology for that estimate. The interviews also include Joey Iorio, co-founder of Empire State Kei Advocates, who is lobbying for changes to New York rules that prevent kei vehicles from being registered for public-road use.
Why Buyers Choose Smaller Trucks
The interviews capture two distinct reasons for interest in kei trucks: utility and affordability for some buyers, and enthusiasm for an unusual vehicle for others. Their compact size can make them suitable for certain work and property tasks, while the reported price range is far below that of many full-size new pickups. Those selling the vehicles say their capabilities and operating costs help explain why demand has grown.
But buying one does not automatically mean it can be driven on public roads. State registration rules vary, so an import that meets the federal age requirement may still face local restrictions. That distinction matters to prospective buyers, dealers and advocates: the vehicles’ practical appeal does not settle whether owners can legally register them where they live.
The report also shows how owners’ interest has moved beyond individual purchases into local advocacy. Iorio’s campaign in New York and the source’s account of a Texas law change illustrate that state policy can shape whether the vehicles are usable as everyday road vehicles, rather than only as off-road or private-property equipment.
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Federal Import Rules, State Registration
Under the federal rule described in The Drive’s report, a vehicle not originally certified for the U.S. market may be imported once it is at least 25 years old. That age-based import allowance is separate from state decisions about registration and road use. Buyers therefore need to distinguish permission to import a vehicle from permission to drive it on public streets in a particular state.
Kei vehicles are designed around Japanese regulations limiting overall size, engine displacement and power. The source says those limits are associated with lower taxes and insurance rates in Japan. Their small dimensions and utility-focused layouts contrast with the large pickups common in the U.S. market, a difference the Pennsylvania dealer uses to explain the vehicles’ appeal.
According to the report, New York does not allow kei cars and trucks to be registered for public-road use, and Iorio has contacted state senators to seek a change. The article also says Texas legalized kei cars the previous year after advocacy by enthusiasts. These examples reflect state-level developments; they do not establish a nationwide registration policy.
““I got my first mini truck five years ago.””
— Jake Simpson, owner of Lancaster Mini Truck, speaking to NHK World
Registration Rules Remain Uneven
The report does not list every state that permits or bars public-road registration, and it does not explain the exact requirements in each jurisdiction. Rules can vary by state, so the account should not be taken as a complete guide for buyers. The source also does not provide the underlying data for its estimate of 30,000 imports over five years, or identify the period’s precise start and end dates.
It is also unclear whether New York lawmakers are considering a specific bill, when any legislative action might occur, or whether further changes are planned in Texas or other states. Simpson’s mileage, pricing and sales figures are statements attributed to the dealer; the report does not independently verify them or say whether they apply to every kei truck.
Advocates Seek State Changes
The report describes Iorio’s ongoing effort to persuade New York legislators to allow kei vehicles to be registered for public-road use. No vote, bill timetable or policy decision is identified in the source. The next development for New York owners would be any formal legislative proposal or change to the state’s registration rules.
For prospective owners elsewhere, the immediate next step is to check the rules in their own state before purchasing or importing a truck. The NHK World report offers a snapshot of owners’ experiences and advocacy, but does not provide a state-by-state legal guide or establish what further changes may follow.
Key Questions
What did NHK World report about kei trucks in the United States?
NHK World visited Pennsylvania to interview kei truck owners, dealer Jake Simpson and advocate Joey Iorio about the vehicles’ appeal and road-registration restrictions.
Why do some Americans buy kei trucks?
Simpson cited their small size, four-wheel-drive options, fuel economy and price. The report also features owners drawn to the vehicles themselves. These are interviewees’ views, not a guarantee that every model has the same features or costs.
Can a 25-year-old kei truck be driven on public roads everywhere in the U.S.?
No. The federal age rule described in the report allows eligible vehicles to be imported, but state registration rules differ. Some states restrict public-road registration, so buyers should check local requirements.
What is the advocacy effort in New York?
Joey Iorio, co-founder of Empire State Kei Advocates, told the report he is lobbying state lawmakers for a change that would allow kei vehicles to be registered for public-road use. The source does not give a bill number or timetable.
Source: rss
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