Trump wants to bring Japan's 'cute' tiny cars to America — but it may not be easy

It's all the truck he needs — one that picks up a new mattress from the furniture store, takes him to work and has ample space for groceries.“Most people have way more truck than they will ever use,” said David McChristian, 37, a firefighter from Houston.

It's all the truck he needs — one that picks up a new mattress from the furniture store, takes him to work and has ample space for groceries.

“Most people have way more truck than they will ever use,” said David McChristian, 37, a firefighter from Houston. “I don’t need a Ford F-150 that can tow 5,000 pounds.”

Called “kei” cars, they’re tiny, lightweight, low-powered and low-noise. But as low-key as they are, they’re as ubiquitous on rural Japanese streets, fitting in small garages or on the side of a street.

McChristian is not their only fan. President Donald Trump has praised the trucks — and wants to replicate their success as U.S. cars soar in price and swell in size.

A Daihatsu kei truck typically costs around $10,000 in Japan, a quarter of what an F-150 costs. It’s also half the size and comes with an engine of around 60 horsepower, compared with the over 300 horsepower engines that power most F-150s.