Kei-car sport ABC

• In the period 1991-1998 three different sports cars in the Kei-car class existed
• Design started before 1991 when Japan’s economy was booming
• In 1992 a big recession hit Japan’s economy after an economic bubble
• This caused the market demand for any sport cars to dwindle

A stands for Autozam AZ-1

• Autozam AZ-1 also known as Suzuki Cara and M2 1015
• 2 seats coupe with gullwing doors, not a roadster
• Produced oct 1992 – sep 1995, only sold in Japan like the Beat
• 647cc 3 cylinder with turbo
• Numbers build: 4.409, 4 registered in the Netherlands (2024)

B stands for Honda Beat

C stands for Suzuki Cappuccino

• Suzuki Cappuccino
• 2 seats roadster like Beat but with removable roofpanels
• Produced oct 1991 – okt 1998, sold in limited numbers in Europe
• Same engine as AZ-1 but mounted in front with rear wheel drive
• Numbers build: 26.583, 59 registered in the Netherlands (2024)

Daihatshu Copen (does not stand for C!)

• Daihatsu Copen
• In production since 2002, so much later then the ABC above
• Thus not a part of the ABC!
• Sold in NL, first as a Kei-car with right hand drive, later with 1,3liter engine and left hand drive
• Larger Kei-car size 340cm x 148cm in stead of 330cm x 140cm for the ABC-cars, engine restriction were however the same