The Samurai also was the first mass-produced 4x4 Kei car in the Japanese market, outselling the Mitsubishi Jeep. The Kei car, by definition, is a Japanese term for the light automobile ...

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other locations were awash with tiny "kei" trucks, cars and vans. These cities have thin, weaving side roads that would never be able to handle most American SUVs and trucks.

The chances of seeing kei cars catch on in America range from slim to none. Kei trucks have become popular in rural areas, but even California's kei-car culture is facing extinction. When it comes ...

Another kei. This time, it's Daihatsu, which has released a redesigned version of its Move minicar. Available as the subdued Move or the more sporty-looking Move Custom (above), the car follows ...