President Donald Trump said this week that he has approved the production of so-called “tiny cars” in the United States, opening the door for manufacturers to build small, low-powered vehicles domestically.
“I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America,” Trump posted on social media. He said manufacturers have wanted to do this for years, citing similar vehicles widely used in other countries. Trump added that the cars could be powered by gasoline, electric, or hybrid systems.
While the announcement drew attention, no automaker has committed to producing the vehicles, and the White House has not given any details on where they would be built or what regulatory changes would be made.
Manufacturing details remain unclear
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he became interested in tiny cars after seeing similar vehicles commonly used in Japan. Those cars, often referred to as kei cars, benefit from special tax breaks and regulations overseas but have never taken hold in the U.S.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Department of Transportation would work with regulators to “clear the rules” so manufacturers have the option to build smaller vehicles. However, neither the DOT nor the White House has said which specific safety or emissions rules would change.
Automakers offer cautious responses
So far, major automakers are not showing strong interest.
- General Motors declined to comment on any potential future products.
- Stellantis said it is “always looking for opportunities to adapt our product portfolio to meet our customers’ needs.”
- Ford said it had “nothing specific to share at this time.”
Without a confirmed automaker, factory location, or investment figure, the production outlook remains uncertain.
