President Trump appeared to say that Americans are going to be allowed — isn’t it great? — to buy small, inexpensive vehicles that.President Trump appeared to say that Americans are going to be allowed — isn’t it great? — to buy small, inexpensive vehicles that are not currently available for sale in America, because it is illegal to sell them in America. Models such as the little pickup made by Toyota — the HiLux —…
President Trump appeared to say that Americans are going to be allowed — isn’t it great? — to buy small, inexpensive vehicles that are not currently available for sale in America, because it is illegal to sell them in America. Models such as the little pickup made by Toyota — the HiLux — being one of them. Also, the so-called “Kei” cars, which are abundant in Japan but unavailable here.
“You’re not allowed to build them,” the president said, which isn’t exactly true. The manufacturers — Toyota, for instance — could build them here. There’s nothing illegal about that. The illegality occurs when a manufacturer of a non-compliant vehicle — i.e., a vehicle that does not meet every single Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and federal “emissions” requirement (which these days means chiefly the “emissions” of carbon dioxide, which has nothing to do with pollution) — offers it for sale. Specifically, offers it for sale for use on what are styled “public” — meaning government-owned — roads. (RELATED: Longing for the Era of Economy Cars and Real Fuel Efficiency)
It is legal to buy vehicles like the Roxor, which looks like the original WWII-era Willys Jeep. And what are called side-by-sides, such as the Can Ams you can find at motorcycle stores. But they are only legal for off-road use. (RELATED: Less Is Still Too Much)
“I have authorized the secretary (of transportation) to immediately approve the production of these cars,” Trump said on Wednesday.
Italics added.
“Approving the production” is not the same thing as allowing the sale.
“Approving the production” is not the same thing as allowing the sale. As explained above, there is no law precluding any vehicle manufacturer from producing vehicles in America that aren’t legal for use in America — on “public” roads, at least.
