Are they, though? I won't put anything past scummy lobbyists, but side-by-sides are way more purpose-built for off-road hooning, and if anything, the logical thing there would be to argue for expanded use on-road for them. (Then again, logic doesn't apply to the AAMVA.)

There's some competition with Actys and whatever, but it's so, so small and a side-by-side definitely isn't in the same conversation as an AZ-1 or a beat. Getting them categorized as off-road-only still leaves them as competition.

Problem with current side-by-sides is cost. While you can get a or 1000cc 2 door for 13-15k for the utility models, your basically getting a stripped out base one. Where 2024 kei trucks are 22k and have all the comfort goodies plus a real bed size