President Trump said Friday he had granted approval for “tiny cars” to be built in the United States, a move that would expand the availability of similar smaller vehicles that are popular in Asia.
“I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid.
“These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING!!! START BUILDING THEM NOW!”
Trump had earlier in the week expressed admiration for Kei cars, small vehicles that are common in Japan and elsewhere in Asia and are sold at a lower cost and are tailored to narrower roadways.
“They have a very small car. It’s sort of like the Beetle used to be with the Volkswagen,” Trump said Wednesday. “They’re very small, they’re really cute. And I said, ‘How would that do in this country?’ And everyone seems to think good, but you’re not allowed to build them.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNBC that tiny cars in the U.S. would likely work best in urban settings and could provide a cheaper alternative for some consumers.
Trump earlier this week also announced his administration was proposing to roll back vehicle mileage standards put in place under the Biden administration. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in question, set by the Transportation Department, set minimum miles per gallon that automakers’ fleets have to meet.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.