Michigan has sent letters to Mitsubishi Delica owners informing them their vans are no longer road-legal. This Mitsubishi Delica deregistration discovery was made in the MDOC: Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club USA Facebook group (of which I am an admin). Multiple owners alerted the group to the letters they received.

Much like the letters the State of Maine sent in 2021, Michigan’s letter states the vans fall into the micro truck and micro van class (e.g. “kei cars“). Under that rule, they are only able to be registered as an off-road vehicle.

In truth, the Mitsubishi Delica is not a kei vehicle and has similar dimensions to a Chrysler Pacifica or Toyota Sienna. Michigan is incorrect in classifying the Delica as such.

Why Michigan has opted to go after the Delica specifically is unknown. We don’t believe owners of other JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vans, such as the Toyota Hiace or Mazda Bongo, have received the letters.

Michigan Is Incorrect

Per the letter, the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) provides an explanation stating that Delica vans have been erroneously registered because “Michigan requires a ‘mini truck’ to be titled as an off-road Vehicle (ORV).”

The letter continues …

“Therefore, gray market off-road ‘mini trucks’ and ‘micro vans’ can only be titled as ORVs. They can’t be titled for on-road use. It isn’t possible to upgrade them to meet U.S. EPS emission Standards and U.S. DOT safety standards. Examples include the Suzuki Carry, Subaru Sambar, Honda ACTY, Mazda Scrump, and Daihatsu Hijet.”

All of the above vehicles are kei vehicles, which are small, lightweight vehicles designed for the Japanese Market. A Delica does not fall into this category. In fact, the Japanese government’s definition of a kei vehicle is:

Length (max): 3.4 m (134 in)
Width (max): 1.48 m (58.3 in)
Height (max): 2.0 m (78.7 in)
Engine Displacement (max): 660 cc (40.3 cu/in)
Power (max): 64 PS (63 HP)

The Delica Star Wagon’s length is 4.605 m (181.3 in), which automatically makes it not a kei micro van. Plus, most modern Delicas have an engine displacement of at least 2.4-liters (146.5 cu/in).

Interestingly, MDOS cites the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) as its reason for this:

“… based on the direction provided by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding mini trucks, we are unable to issue a roadworthy title.”

But again, the Delica is not a mini truck or micro van.

Addressing the 25-Year Import Rule

MDOS also addresses and acknowledges the 25-year import rule and how the vehicles don’t have to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). MDOS goes on to say for titling purposes, the age of the vehicle does not change the determination that the vehicle should be titled as off-road use only. In short, you can legally import a gray market vehicle that’s 25+ years old, but the registration is still up to each state.

The MDOS instructs owners to return the incorrect title in the provided self-addressed stamped envelope.

More To Come

Michigan is clearly in the wrong. The Delica is not a kei vehicle or a micro van by any means. I also have no idea why states are targeting Delicas so aggressively.

Regardless, we’ll keep on top of this, so stay tuned.