President Donald Trump has dropped a bombshell with his latest push for “tiny cars” in America, aiming to steer the nation toward cheaper wheels.
Trump’s recent announcement to greenlight domestic production of these compact vehicles comes amid his ongoing battle against what he calls a Democratic “hoax” on affordability, while rolling out plans to ease household expenses, the Washington Examiner reported.
Earlier this week, during an Oval Office meeting with U.S. auto executives, Trump pointed to the pint-sized cars popular in Asian markets like Japan and South Korea as a model for American innovation.
He reminisced about the charm of the old Volkswagen Beetle, suggesting these modern equivalents could win over American drivers if given the chance.
“If you go to Japan, where I just left, if you go to South Korea, Malaysia, and other countries, they have a very small car, sort of like the Beetle used to be with Volkswagen,” Trump said during the Oval Office event.
With a nostalgic nod, he’s betting on cute and compact to disrupt a market bogged down by oversized, overpriced options—though one wonders if Americans, hooked on their hulking SUVs, will bite.
By Friday, Trump took to Truth Social with a rallying cry for manufacturers to jumpstart production of these budget-friendly rides without delay.
“Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid,” Trump posted, adding, “These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!!”
His enthusiasm is infectious, but it’s hard to ignore the irony of championing affordability while dismissing the very concept as a progressive fabrication—still, if these cars deliver on price, who’s complaining?
Trump also claimed he’s directed officials to fast-track approvals, ensuring these small wonders hit U.S. roads sooner rather than later.
Yet, automotive experts caution that size comes with serious hurdles, particularly when it comes to meeting stringent U.S. crash safety standards.
Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry, noted that these vehicles, likely inspired by Japan’s “kei” cars, often fall short of American requirements for occupant protection due to their limited “crush space.”
Abuelsamid explained that while kei cars fit Japan’s urban landscape with strict parking rules, adapting them for the U.S. market is no small feat.
If manufacturers can crack the code on safety without inflating costs, they’re free to roll out these micro-machines—but that’s a mighty big “if” in a country obsessed with bigger-is-better.
Trump’s push for tiny cars might just be the shake-up needed to challenge bloated vehicle prices, even if it means navigating a regulatory maze tighter than a Tokyo parking spot.
