What is a Kei Truck?

Japanese Farmer’s 4x4 ‘Kei’ Truck (軽トラック)

The Japanese ‘Kei’ Truck is used on virtually every Farm in Japan. It is built to comply with Japan’s Light Vehicle ‘Kei jidōsha’ (軽自動車) legislation, which limits the overall dimensions (e.g. max. length 3.4M x width 1.48M) and engine capacity (660cc).

The benefits of a Kei Vehicle are significantly reduced vehicle road tax, insurance and exemption from a parking certificate ‘Shako Shomei-sho’ (車庫証明書) in rural areas. In addition they are very cheap to run and maintain.

They are easily spotted in Japan’s countryside as they are plentiful, typically white and use the Kei Vehicle’s yellow registration plate. These days you have the choice of ordering your Kei truck in one of 7 different colours, 14 different factory bodies and 2 different cabs and either 2 or 4 wheel drive!

Almost al major Japan vehicle manufacturers have a Kei Car and Truck offering, some are 'badge engineered' from the main Kei Truck manufacturers Daihatsu which is a subsidiary of Toyota and Suzuki. They are very similar in that they are designed to maximise the load carrying capacity and manoeuvrability within the maximum length 3.4 Metres tend to utilise the forward control cab layout for trucks.

Talk to us in the UK about exporting from Japan! We know how it works in Japan and in the UK. The Suzuka Export team includes British and Japanese experts based in Japan and the UK. We work with both Specialist Dealers and private Importers alike. Contact us today to discuss your needs, down the smallest detail and concern. We offer advice and service for the following:

• Budgeting.
• Car/Truck Search.
• Dealer and Auction bidding, purchase and negotiation.
• Vehicle Inspection and logistics
• Vehicle Export and Shipping
• Import Duty and VAT payments.
• Port arrival and collection.
• Vehicle Registration.

Why are Japan Imports getting so popular?

It is not that long ago than an import was seen as inferior to a UK registered vehicle. This is changing, especially when importing a second hand vehicle from Japan. Most people now recognise the fantastic quality of Japanese made Domestic models (JDM) such as Honda, Toyota and Subaru etc.. but also that all European Premium Brands sold in Japan such as Mercedes Benz, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo etc.. are supplied in 'EU Specification' with the addition of Japanese Language software for the Driver Information systems. Reconfiguring vehicles originally sold in Japan to UK Language and from KMS to Miles is a software configuration task available on most later models.

Read more about why buying from Japan is such a good move Why Buy from Japan

Check out our current stock of vehicles in UK and Japan Stock of vehicles for sale

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