Here is some good news.  Times Colonist, a premier newspaper of Canada reports that Japanese mini trucks are a quite a hit with business and trade professionals in Canada.

The legions of Japanese mini trucks that are being embraced by the businessmen and trade people include the Daihatsu Hi-Jet, Subaru Sambar, Honda Acty, Mazda Scrum and Suzuki Carry.  These mini trucks are now fast becoming common place in Victoria.

These mini trucks find their origin in Japan in the year 1964.  They are also called Kei Trucks. The term ‘Kei’ implies that the vehicle is a Kei class vehicle of Japan.  This means it is of the sub compact class.  The vehicles of this class have an engine displacement which is limited to 660cc.

The micro trucks are diminutive in size and this makes them ideal for movement around town and it also allows them to be economical at the same time. These trucks can easily be navigated through narrow country roads, small city streets and even through rice fields. The micro  trucks have three or four small cylinder engines.

These trucks can be used for a variety of things like off-road hunting or as farm utility vehicles.  They can be used as maintenance vehicles for large factories, schools, golf courses, university campuses, shipping yards, ranches, warehouse facilities, dairies, theme parks, horse stables, airports, landscaping companies, orchards, campgrounds, local municipalities, movie sets, movie sets, security companies  etc.  The possibilities are really endless.

In Japan, you can see these vehicles almost everywhere including remote villages and in the mountains.  Japanese trucks which are old are put up for sale because of inspection costs and taxes which are levied on old vehicles in Japan.  Many of these vehicles might have had very low mileage.

One of the bigger advantages of having a Kei truck is that it ownership cost is very low. Although, earlier they were in demand in only right hand driving countries like Asia and Australia, but now even Canadians are embracing them.

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