U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will now fast-track approvals for the production of small-sized cars in the United States. He said the decision was inspired by what he observed during recent visits to several Asian countries.
Trump shared that during his official trips to Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and other parts of Asia, he saw how widely compact cars were used. The minimalist and practical designs, which he compared to the classic Volkswagen Beetle, reportedly stood out to him.
Photo via Malay Mail
According to Berita Harian, Trump believes these compact models could attract strong interest among American consumers as well.
He explained that many people in the United States prefer smaller and more affordable vehicles. However, carmakers previously faced restrictions that prevented them from producing such models locally. Trump said he has now authorised the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve small-car production immediately.
“Most people want small cars, but manufacturers were not allowed to build them. I have given the Secretary the authority to approve their production right away so the public can buy them,” he said.
Trump also praised Japanese compact-car designs, especially those from Honda. He described them as attractive, minimalistic and ideal for daily use.
He said he is confident that these cars could perform well in the American market: “They are affordable and they give people the chance to own a new car instead of relying on older ones that may not be reliable. Automotive companies can now start exploring this opportunity,” he added.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the department has already relaxed certain regulations. This makes it easier for global manufacturers such as Toyota and others to sell their compact vehicles in the United States without major obstacles, “We have simplified the rules so manufacturers can produce these cars in the United States and sell them here,” he said.
A video clip of Trump also circulated online, where he said: “If you go to Japan and South Korea and Malaysia, they have very small cars… Very small and really cute. You are not allowed to build them and I have authorised the Secretary to immediately approve the production of those cars.”
Oh, we never knew that you need some kind of approval for even the size of a car you produce and use in different countries, which makes sense due to safety reasons we assume.
We could see an Axia driving around Los Angeles, so cute!
