For over a decade Japanese city dwellers have been driving the k-car, or midget car. It is a tiny economical substitute for the conventional city car. Manufactured mainly by Suzuki, Daihatsu and Honda, the k-car is a minuscule machine with an engine that is not allowed to be bigger than 660 cc. The height, length, and width are regulated by law.rnThe k-car attained popularity because Japan used to have strict laws banning the purchase of a medium to large car unless the buyer could prove he had off-road parking. The k-car was a simple functional solution. It did not require off-road parking, had lower tax and was cheap to run. Today about 1.5 million a year are sold in Japan at less than $5,800 (€6,400) new.
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