Texas passes bill to protect imported Japanese mini trucks
- Japanese Kei mini trucks are gaining popularity in the south
- Texas, in particular, has a fondness for these imported vehicles
- It recently reversed its law on registering the trucks
Published on May 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on May 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The state of Texas is known for many things.
Rodeo riding, the Alamo, and incredible BBQ food are all Texas staples.
Interestingly, the state made news for a different reason recently.
Because it just passed a law to protect imported Japanese mini trucks.
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For years, a campaign has been active in Texas to change the law.
But the issue in question probably isn’t a law that you’ve ever thought of.
The campaign worked on the issue of protecting small, Japanese-imported trucks.
In case you’ve never heard of them, Kei trucks are fascinating creatures.
They are small, lightweight pickup trucks that originated in Japan.
These mini trucks were introduced in order to satisfy Japan’s ‘Keijidosha’, or light vehicle, regulations.
Despite having engines no more powerful than 660cc, they are extremely popular. And they’ll even take a jet added to them, as one YouTuber discovered.
Since their introduction in Japan in 1959, the Kei truck has boomed in popularity.
Because of their size, reliability, and affordability, they are extremely popular all over Asia.
And those factors have led to a growing popularity in the United States, too.
Despite meeting federal import regulations, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles banned their registration.
Of course, given the complexity of the law, it was never evenly enforced across the state.
This same issue also applied to other states, but they recently changed their rules.
For example, the states of Colorado and Massachusetts are the latest to revise their laws.
And the Lone Star State is now the latest to follow suit.
This change in fortune is mostly to the credit of David McChristian, the founder of ‘Lone Star Kei.’
He contacted every single state legislator to get them to reverse the registration policy.
And his advocacy worked – because the Texas State Senate amended the law.
This change can go into immediate effect because it passed both houses with more than two-thirds vote.
It’s also highly unlikely that the Texas governor would wish to veto such a change.
Perhaps this might even lead to the growth of more Kei trucks in Texas.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
