Japanese mini trucks are becoming more viable as practical and extremely cost-effective and efficient alternative off-road motor vehicles, and even as regular road vehicles in some locations. Popular vehicles imported regularly from Japan, Japanese mini trucks (called “Keitora” or “micro” trucks) are actually cost-effective work donkeys. The majority of these decidedly practical, but miniature pickup trucks are equipped with 660cc engines and 4-wheel drive. Each mini truck measures about 11 ft. (3.4m) long with a common box size of 6 ft.-4 in. (1.95m) in length. Such mini trucks from Japan are capable of hauling nearly half a ton. Most designs of these mini trucks offer fold-down box sides with hydraulic dumps and scissor lifts. Also being sold are models designed with van bodies. Additionally, these mini trucks are available with completely enclosed cabs, seat belts, windshield wipers, AM radios, heaters, lights and signals. While sustaining their characteristic levels of easy maneuverability and speed, Japanese mini trucks are amazingly strong, enduring the weight of heavy loads despite their light-weight structures in comparison to those of regular road trucks and vans. Usually, Japanese mini trucks can accelerate up to speeds of 75 miles per hour, and their mean weight is 1500 pounds. With widespread popularity in Asia, second-hand models are now being used in the US for off-road activity—for example, on farmland. Following their road certification inspections in Canada, Japanese mini trucks are considered regular road vehicles. As road-acceptable vehicles, they are low-cost, fuel-efficient, practical, and easy to maintain. As economical transportation, some Japanese mini trucks have been documented by their owners with gas mileage capacity equal to upwards of 60 miles per gallon. Depending on your choice of a new or used vehicle, US prices for Japanese mini trucks run between about $4,000 and $8,500. A 1992 Daihatsu Hi-Jet mini truck can be purchased for around USD $5,848, and a 1990 Suzuki Every Van is priced at about USD $6,086, on today’s used mini truck market.
Continuing to gain in popularity on the motor vehicle market, Japanese mini trucks have demonstrated their lasting ability, even though it was questioned by vehicular manufacturers. Multiple generations of revised structures and designs have lead to current makes and models of Japanese mini trucks. The popular Kurogane KB pickup truck first revealing a high structured rear engine was brought out in 1959. The Honda T360, a semi-front truck or pickup, reached the market in 1963 as the first Honda 4-wheel vehicle. The style-defining Daihatsu Hi-Jet Cab was first available on the 1964 market. In 1965, the Cony 360 Wide was introduced to the market with a wheelbase of 168 cm, a rear rigid axle with leaf springs, and an engine of 354 cc located directly under the body’s center floor. For the 1966 market, a van was newly designed. Minus distinctive or unique character, the style was ultra-modern, and this vehicle was obtainable until the mid-seventies. Then, in the year of 1969, the Mazda Porter Cab was shown with the engine located beneath the front seats. Actually, its frontal design was rather humorous with its rounded headlamps and cadres, impersonating spectacles. Following that time, many more makes and models of Japanese mini trucks have been brought out on the modern road vehicle market, with recognizable, now popularized manufacturers’ names such as Mitsubishi, Diahatsu, Honda, Mazda, Suzuki and Subaru. According to current consumer reports, Japanese mini trucks definitely have a lasting place in the modern motor vehicles marketplace.
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