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Date: 8/22/2023
GRANBY — During its Aug. 14 meeting, the Granby Selectboard unanimously approved an application for a new antique car shop Rajikaru Imports, that will sell antique Japanese Kei cars.
A Kei — pronounced kay — car is a light automobile, typically in truck form and refers to the Japanese vehicle category for the smallest highway-legal passenger cars with restricted dimensions and engine capacity.
They have been increasing in popularity in the United States and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. has a 25-year import law which prohibits vehicles less than 25 years old from being imported or purchased in the country if they don’t comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. After 25 years, any vehicle that does not comply with these standards can be lawfully imported.
Many of these vehicles have now eclipsed the 25-year wait and are finding their way to the states. Rajikaru Imports owner Jason Aller spoke with the Selectboard and explained to them the history of the cars and his plans for the new business.
Rajikaru Imports will be located at 185 West State St. and Aller explained he plans to have a maximum of 10 cars on the lot of shared office spaces at a time. Aller had already been through discussions with the Planning Board leading up to the Selectboard appointment.
“It’s a nice drive by spot and it’s been there forever, and I’m not trying to change up the look of the Chateau [Harmony Building], but if anything, I think it’ll maybe add a little character to the lot and the apartment space because the cars are something that people are attracted to, they like looking at them,” Aller said.
He added it wasn’t going to be the typical used car dealer type of operation as he would only be selling these exclusive Japanese imports that come ready to drive. He also said the space was strictly for selling and no auto body work would be done or was ever considered to be added on site as he has his own shop that he can use for the vehicles if ever needed.
“They’re pretty nice cars, little vans, little pickup trucks,” he added.
Aller said he plans to operate the business Wednesdays through Sundays and welcomes appointment visits for interested buyers once open.
When opened to questions from the public resident Dawn Healy asked what kind of clientele was expected for Rajikaru Imports.
“I would say they tend to be people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, usually guys my age and a little bit older,” Aller said. “Definitely an older generation thing, like you know classic cars. You don’t see too many young 20-year-olds driving around in Chevy’s and stuff.”
Another resident asked what the price range of the vehicles typically go for. Aller said he will typically be selling cars in the range from $5,000 to $12,000, but in some instances some of these Kei car mini trucks go for even more.
Aller reiterated to residents he is the service director for dealership shop and he would be staying there as his main job, but selling the antique cars is his own personal business on the side.
The Selectboard unanimously approved Aller for Rajikaru Imports to open and begin to buy and sell the Japanese Kei cars, with all members sharing positive remarks for the incoming addition to the town.
Selectboard member Crystal Dufresne said she thought it was a great idea and a great use of office space for the property.
“I think it’s a welcomed addition to the town,” said board member Richard Beaulieu. “Welcome to Granby, I can’t wait to test drive that little truck.”