President Trump has come out in favor of U.S. manufacture of what he calls “tiny cars,” in an apparent push to help consumers achieve affordability in purchasing a vehicle. Trump, of course, is currently on an “affordability tour” to promote his policies aimed at lowering costs — first stop today in Pennsylvania.
As for micro-vehicles, Trump wrote on social media: “I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries. They can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid. These cars of the very near future are inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, amazing.”
One problem is that these cars, mostly made in Japan, don’t currently meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards.
Stellantis, which manufactures Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles, has already jumped on board by announcing it will start importing the tiny Fiat car called the Topolino (pictured below). The Topolino, which can achieve a top speed of 28 mph, is categorized as “an all-electric quadricycle” – a four-wheel, electric-powered motorcycle with a shell around it, in other words.
