Kei Trucks: Small But Mighty

Ever wondered if there’s a more efficient alternative to the massive dual cab utes dominating Aussie roads? Enter Kei trucks, the small but mighty vehicles that are quickly becoming a favourite among off-road enthusiasts, farmers, and small businesses alike. These compact, body-on-chassis trucks, originally designed for the Japanese market, are turning heads with their versatility, economy, and unique charm. Let’s dive into their captivating history, impressive benefits, and standout features that make them a global favourite.

What are Kei Trucks?

Kei trucks, or “kei-tora” in Japan, are small, lightweight trucks designed to meet Japan’s kei car regulations. These rules, established post-WWII, aimed to create vehicles that were economical and suitable for Japan’s narrow streets. Kei trucks typically measure less than 3.4 metres in length and 1.48 metres in width, making them highly manoeuvrable in tight spaces. Equipped with engines under 660cc, they ensure low fuel consumption, making them a budget-friendly choice for both personal and commercial use. Their utilitarian design allows them to come in various configurations, including flatbeds, dump trucks, and vans, catering to a wide range of needs.

A Brief History: The Kei Truck Legacy

Picture post-war Japan, a country in need of economic revival and efficient transportation solutions. Enter the Kei truck, born out of necessity in the 1940s. The government collaborated with the auto industry to create regulations that specified dimensions, engine capacity, and power output, aiming to produce economical vehicles for crowded cities. These regulations helped make kei cars affordable and easy to park, which, combined with lower registration fees and reduced road and vehicle weight taxes, made them popular nationwide. Fast-forward to today, kei trucks are not only a staple in Japan but are also gaining international acclaim for their practicality and charm.

Despite many of the taxation benefits being wound back in the past decade, Kei trucks remain hugely popular in Japan and account for a big proportion of domestic market sales annually. That means there are a lot of makes and models to choose from; everything from nimble sports cars to compact commuters, light trucks, and even people movers that put the “mini” into a minivan!

Kei cars have been sporadically offered in Australia before, dating back to the early 1960s, when a handful of Subaru 360s were imported. The Suzuki Mighty Boy arrived in the 1980s, reinterpreting the classic Aussie ute in the smallest terms possible, while the Daihatsu Copen came here in the new millennium.

Now, the arrival of a new generation of Kei cars, including vehicles never previously offered locally, is shaking up the Australian car market. Kei trucks offer usability and practicality, with surprising capability off-road, too.

Why Are Kei Trucks Becoming Popular in Australia?

Australia’s automotive landscape is largely dominated by big dual cab utes, but these aren’t always the perfect fit for everyone. Issues like high fuel consumption, challenging parking, and steep purchase prices can be significant drawbacks. Enter the Kei trucks from Japan, which offer a compact, efficient, and cost-effective alternative.

Kei trucks stand out due to their unique appeal. Designed under Japan’s kei car regulations, these versatile vehicles measure less than 3.4 metres in length and 1.48 metres in width, making them ideal for navigating tight urban streets and narrow rural paths. The current wave of Kei vehicles we import into Australia, including previously unavailable models, is revitalising the market.

Applications for Kei Trucks

Kei trucks are highly adaptable and suitable for a range of business applications. Take, for example, Jane, a florist in Melbourne, who switched to a Kei truck for her deliveries. She found that not only could she navigate the narrow city streets more easily, but

her fuel costs also dropped by almost 40%. Similarly, Tom, a local electrician, praises his Suzuki Carry for its reliability and ease of parking in crowded neighbourhoods.

Turning Kei Trucks into Mobile Masterpieces

One of the coolest things about Kei trucks is how easily they can be transformed into rolling works of art. Picture this: a tiny truck that’s not just a vehicle but a canvas waiting to be splashed with your brand’s colours and personality. It’s like having your own mobile billboard that can zip through the streets and grab attention wherever it goes.

Kei trucks offer the perfect blank slate for customization. Their flat surfaces and straightforward design make them ideal for vinyl wraps, decals, and all sorts of creative branding. Imagine a Daihatsu Hijet dressed up in your company’s logo, with vibrant graphics that pop and catch the eye. It’s not just practical transportation; it’s marketing on wheels!

Consider this: a florist’s Kei truck covered in lush, floral designs, turning heads as it makes deliveries around town. Or a local café’s truck wrapped in quirky coffee cup graphics, making every delivery an opportunity to brew up some brand recognition. These little trucks are like chameleons, ready to adapt to whatever funky, fresh look you dream up.

Usability and Off-Road Capability

Despite their compact size, Kei trucks offer surprising capability off-road. Models like the Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty, and Suzuki Carry are particularly popular among enthusiasts. These vehicles are built to Kei car regulations, meaning their external dimensions and engine sizes are mostly the same. However, they differ in styling, appointments, and trim details, giving buyers plenty of options to choose from.

While other makes and models are available, the Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty, and Suzuki Carry are the three main types that Davey Motor Group imports in terms of tray back-style vehicles. As they’re all built to meet car regulations, external dimensions and engine size are mostly the same, with the differences coming down to styling, appointments, and trim details.

There’s also the option of a tipping tray (PTO or electronically operated, depending on model and age), which is a practical alternative to the standard tray for farming, landscape gardening, and even construction work where access is limited.

In terms of overall dimensions, the Hijet is 3395 mm long, 1475mm wide, and 1855mm high, with a 1900 mm wheelbase, 160mm ground clearance, and 12-inch wheels as standard. While height and wheelbase measures have changed as the Hijet has evolved (it’s now on its tenth generation), the width and length have been dictated by kei car rules.

As the Acty and Carry are built to the same rules, their external dimensions are the same, with only minor variations in things like tray length and wheelbase. The Carry, for example, has a longer and wider tray area, while the Acty’s is fractionally shorter.

Kei Trucks: A Practical Alternative

A study by the Australian Automobile Association found that the average Australian spends over $1,500 annually on fuel. Kei trucks, with their efficient engines, can significantly reduce this cost, offering an average fuel consumption of just 5-6 litres per 100 kilometres.

This makes them not only a smart financial choice but also an environmentally friendly option, reducing overall carbon emissions. Australian motorists pay fuel excise of 44.21 cents per litre. The latest AAA Transport Affordability Index shows the typical Australian household’s transport costs rose by 4.5 per cent. The report, released by Australia’s peak motoring body, also shows that in the last 12 months, typical Australian household transport costs rose by 10 per cent, which was 2.8 times higher than the same period’s CPI increase of 3.6 per cent. Fuel efficiency considerations when purchasing a vehicle stands out as the no-brainer solution!

Experience the Kei Truck Difference

So, why not experience the Kei truck difference for yourself? These remarkable vehicles combine practicality, efficiency, and reliability in a compact package that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle to support your business, navigate city streets, or simply enjoy a cost-effective ride, Kei Trucks has got you covered.

Welcome to Davey Motor Group

Davey Motor Group is your premier destination for top-quality Japanese vehicles. With a passion for excellence and a commitment to customer satisfaction, we have established ourselves as a trusted name in importing vehicles from Japan. We sell the best cars that the Australian market has missed out on, from 4×4 vans and trucks to hybrids and luxury vehicles. Our Japan-based buying team focuses on sourcing quality cars for Australian roads. We are located in Geelong, Victoria, and offer competitive nationwide shipping rates to deliver quality vehicles to your driveway.

We also have competitive finance options- so ask us more! Contact us today to begin your journey with a Japanese vehicle that exceeds your expectations. Visit our new retail site or click here to connect with our team.

Explore the world of Kei trucks—because great things come in small packages.