If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to import a fuel-injected kei truck from Japan, 2025 might just be your year. Thanks to the 25-year import rule in the U.S., fans of JDM cars have a fresh batch of exciting options, and a fresh batch of late ‘90s and early 2000s kei trucks are now legal to bring in — and they come with fuel injection as standard. That means smoother starts, better fuel economy, and less fuss when it comes to maintenance.
Whether you’re looking for a work-ready mini truck for sale in Japan or something fun and unique to drive around town, some excellent options are available right now.
At Japan Car Direct, we help people like you find and import these vehicles daily. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the fuel-injected kei trucks you can now import, what makes them special, and how to get started if you’re ready to bring one home.
Until the late 1990s, most kei trucks were carbureted — simple, mechanical fuel systems that did the job but required regular tuning and could be a bit finicky, especially in colder weather. As Japanese manufacturers modernized their kei truck lines, fuel injection became the standard. This was a big step forward in reliability, drivability, and overall ease of use.
For importers today, that means you’re not just getting a cool little truck — you’re getting something more refined, more efficient, and easier to live with long-term. Fuel-injected engines tend to:
The big news for 2025? Many of these fuel-injected kei trucks — previously just out of reach for U.S. buyers — are now eligible for import under the 25-year rule.
If you’re already into JDM cars, you’ll know these models are among the most reliable and fun imports now becoming eligible.
The 9th generation Carry was in production from 1999-2013. A long-time favorite among mini truck fans, the DA52T brought fuel injection and a comfortable cabin to Suzuki’s already tough platform. These are workhorses — great for farms, light hauling, or even converting into an off-road toy.
The 4th generation Acty was in production from 1999-2009 and is one of the few kei trucks with a mid-engine layout, giving it a nice balanced feel on the road. They’re easy to drive, efficient, and loaded with Honda reliability.
The 6th generation was in production from 1999-2012. This generation came equipped with electronic fuel injection, often paired with full-time 4WD. Some even came with superchargers. These are quirky, capable, and surprisingly comfortable for daily use.
The 9th generation was in production from 1999-2004 and the EF-SE fuel-injected engine brought smoother power delivery and greater reliability to the Hijet lineup. Daihatsu’s kei trucks are known for being durable and easy to maintain — great for first-time kei truck owners.
Fuel-injected kei trucks hit a sweet spot for a lot of buyers. They’re just old enough to be eligible for import, but new enough to include modern features like:
They’re ideal for:
And of course, they’re light on fuel and incredibly fun to own.
Before you start browsing auction listings, here are a few quick things to keep in mind:
At Japan Car Direct, we make it easy to find and import a kei truck that fits your needs. We’re based in Japan and work directly with the country’s top auctions and trusted Japan car dealers across the country — so you get access to a wide range of used cars from Japan at real-market prices.
We help you with everything from:
Whether you’re new to kei trucks or an experienced importer, we’re here to guide you through every step.
2025 opens up a great batch of fuel-injected kei trucks for U.S. buyers — combining Japanese reliability with better performance and ease of use. Whether you’re after a rugged workhorse or a fun weekend toy, there’s a perfect mini truck in Japan waiting for you to import it!
If you’re ready to start exploring, get in touch with us. We’ll help you find the right truck and handle everything from bidding to shipping. It’s what we do — and we love doing it.
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