Our Suzuki Jimny Wide Reminds Us Why We Love Small Cars

 

Our 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide is now fully operational. Our oil and coolant leaks have been fixed, and we're finally getting to modifying and driving it. One thing is for sure: It's reminding us why we love small cars. 

House Bill 4064: The Oregon Kei Truck Bill

 

In June of 2025, Oregon took steps to legalize kei vehicles for road use. Unfortunately, the bill was tacked onto a House bill that ultimately failed. While that battle was lost, lawmakers said they'd come back and try again in 2026, and that's about to happen.

Oregon Tries To Make Kei Trucks Legal (Again)

In June of 2025, Oregon had its biggest push to legalize kei trucks for road use. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. However, there was quite a bit of bipartisan support behind this, and in 2026, they're going to try to make them road legal again.

The Nissan Versa Is Officially Dead for 2026

 

In a not-so-shocking turn of events, the Nissan Versa, the brand's smallest and most affordable vehicle, will not return for 2026. Most people in the industry saw this coming. 

Fiat To Bring Low-Speed 'All-Electric Quadricycle' To The U.S. After Trump's 'Tiny Car' Statements

 

Last week, Trump announced he wants "tiny cars" to be sold and built here in America. Well, Stellantis wasted no time on this. CNBC is reporting the company is going to sell its Fiat Topolino "all-electric quadricycle" to the U.S. market. Ironically, a Stellantis spokesperson said the announcement was unrelated to the President's desire for small cars. Now that's some Italian irony.

Trump's "Tiny Cars" Has Huge Hurdles. People Say "Let The Market Decide." But It Already Did.

President Donald Trump's recent post on Truth Social.

President Trump's recent announcement about "tiny cars" being built in America has brought out some interesting online discussions, including in some groups I admin. I keep hearing "let the market decide." But people seem to forget that the market already decided not very long ago. 

Trump Wants A Return to Small Cars In the U.S., But Does Anyone Else?

 

On December 3, President Trump announced fuel economy rollbacks for the U.S. At some point, perhaps going off script, he started talking about the small cars he'd seen on his trip to Japan and other parts of Asia. He stated, "We’re not allowed to make them in this country, and I think you’re gonna do very well with those cars, so we’re gonna approve those cars." He then went on to say he authorized Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to allow them. In fact, I wrote an article about this topic for GearJunkie on Dec. 4, 2025; I'll let you read that on your own. 

What I want to focus on here is this: Would Americans even buy kei cars?

We Bought a Suzuki Jimny Wide!

 

Our 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide

We have wanted a third-generation Suzuki Jimny for years. In 2023, they would become legal to import into the USA, and I was counting down the years. I literally told myself that when we could import one, we would. That year came and went, but two years later, we finally pulled the trigger and bought ourselves a Suzuki Jimny, specifically a 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide.

One Step Closer: Oregon Lawmakers Introduce Pro Kei Car Legislation

 

News broke yesterday that Oregon Senator Anthony Broadman has introduced a bill to legalize kei vehicles for road use in the Beaver State. We first saw the news at KTVZ 21 out of Bend, Oregon. However, since then, Central Oregon Daily News has also run the story on Broadman's bill. 

Oregon JDM Advocates: Legalizing Kei Trucks In The Beaver State

 

The majority of U.S. states allow kei cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans to be legally registered for road use, even if there are speed restrictions. However, my state, Oregon, is one of a handful of places that don't allow them. A new group, JDM Oregon Advocates, is looking to change that.