Small and mighty: the history of the Japanese kei car, Part - 2

• As a result, kei cars could be 200mm longer and 100mm wider, although with the government announcing the change in August 1975, carmakers had little time to react.

• As carmakers developed new and better kei cars, sales increased. Kei cars were also a viable export proposition, with many heading for Europe.

• The modern kei car was born in 1990. By allowing an extra 110cc and a 100mm longer bodyshell, the kei car had come of age. Many 660cc heroes were born.

• The Japanese government introduced a 64hp limit, although the fitment of superchargers and turbochargers meant that carmakers could achieve startling performance figures and remarkable fuel economy.

• Many people were introduced to the wild and wonderful kei cars via the Gran Turismo PlayStation game, first introduced in at the end of 1997.

• Crucially, the kei car regulations only restrict physical size and engine displacement, leaving carmakers to play with rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, turbochargers, superchargers, automatic transmissions and CVTs.

• In 2011, Subaru - one of the sector’s pioneers - ceased building kei cars, bringing to an end 54 years of production. But Subaru didn’t leave the sector altogether, as the current Stella is built by Daihatsu.

• In 2013, The Japan Times reported that kei cars accounted for 30% of sales in Japan, with the US claiming they provide an unfair barrier to trade. In effect, a third of the customer base is unavailable to foreign carmakers. By the end of 2014, kei cars accounted for a staggering 40% of sales in Japan, with a record 2.3 million tiny cars finding new homes. Concerned that carmakers are focusing too much on the domestic market, the Japanese government has introduced a higher tax on kei cars. 

• According to the Best Selling Cars Blog, the Honda N-Box is the most popular kei car in Japan, topping the charts for the 10th consecutive month. Total sales in October 2015: 12,277.

• In second place is the Daihatsu Tanto, a rather cool kei car introduced in 2003. On one side you’ll find a standard rear door, while the other side features a sliding door. Neat. This photo was taken at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

• In third place, fresh from its recent facelift, is the Nissan Dayz. The revamp has had an immediate effect, with sales up 13%. Happy Dayz for Nissan. This is the Teatro for Dayz concept, shown at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

• In its first full month on sale, the Daihatsu Cast found 8,895 new homes. The funky looking Daihatsu brings to mind the Fiat 500L. Only smaller. And prettier. And more appealing.

• Love this thing! The Suzuki Hustler was the fifth best-selling kei car in October. It’s little wonder kei cars are so popular. Look at it.

• If the previous five cars offer a glimpse into kei cars of the present, the Honda S660 is a tantalising glimpse into kei cars of the future. The successor to the Beat might come to the UK.

• In Japanese spec, the mid-engined, rear-wheel drive S660 features a 660cc engine, but there are rumours it might be sold in the UK with a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. Honda, please make this happen.

• But not all Japanese small cars are kei cars. The Toyota iQ is a good case in point. It’s beautifully packaged, but too wide to be classed as a kei car. The 1.0-litre engine is also too big.

Keep visiting for Part - 3.......