# Seriously Low Autos Tour the City with the World's Lowest Roadworthy Car By Elise Ying-Hei Ho | Published 2012-09-27 | Updated 2012-09-30 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worlds-lowest-roadworthy-car References: [metro](http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/913312-mini-motor-enters-record-books-as-worlds-lowest-roadworthy-car) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7TQB1YpQ8A&feature=player_embedded) Resembling a [mini race car toy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airpower-turbo-racer), the Mirai, which means future in Japanese, is the new winner of the [world's lowest roadworthy car](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gac-group) in the 2013 Guinness Book of Records. Ousting previous winner in 2009, Britain's Perry Watkins, are the the students and staff at Okayama Sanyo High School's Automobile Engineering program. Although this mini car is absolutely adorable and commendable for its superb technology, it seems fairly dangerous to take it out for a real drive since other drivers, especially trucks, may not be able to see you unless you're far away. The toy-like vehicle, which is just over 45cm high, is a functioning car that is [powered electrically](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-microcar) and capable of hitting the roads. Rest assured though that this car is a legal for driving in Japan. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mini Car Trend:** The rise of mini cars like the Mirai presents opportunities for innovative design and technology in the automotive industry. - **Electric Vehicle Trend:** The emergence of electric-powered cars, like the Mirai, opens up possibilities for eco-friendly transportation solutions and charging infrastructure advancements. - **Compact Design Trend:** The compact and low-slung design of the Mirai reflects a growing trend towards maximizing space efficiency and reducing environmental footprint in vehicle manufacturing. ### Who This Affects Most - **Automotive Industry:** The automotive industry can capitalize on the mini car trend by developing compact, electric-powered vehicles that cater to urban mobility needs. - **Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure:** The electric vehicle charging infrastructure industry can take advantage of the electric vehicle trend by expanding charging networks and introducing innovative charging technologies for mini and compact cars. - **Automotive Design and Technology:** The automotive design and technology sector can seize upon the compact design trend by developing advanced technologies and materials that enable the creation of low-profile, safe, and roadworthy vehicles like the Mirai. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fuel-Efficient Low Driving Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2023-prius.md) - [Ultra-Compact E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moosshiqk.md) - [Miniature DIY Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peel-p50.md) - [Compact Electric City Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kg-motors.md) - [Motorcycle-Inspired Nanocars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nanocar.md) - [Life-Sized Electric Toy Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wild-one-max.md) - [Transparent Sphere Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sphere-vehicle.md) - [Two-Seater Solar-Powered EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-ftme.md) - [Rechargeable Two-Seater Modern Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eli-zero.md)