the Figaro was part of a trend in Japan to bring back style aesthetics from the 50s and 60s for cars. See also : the Nissan Pao, Nissan Be-1, Nissan S-Cargo,

the Figaro was part of a trend in Japan to bring back style aesthetics from the 50s and 60s for cars. See also : the Nissan Pao, Nissan Be-1, Nissan S-Cargo, Daihatsu Midget, Honda Vamos, Suzuki Lapin, Suzuki Twin, and Subaru Sumbar. Most of them are kei cars -- cars with trendy or risky aesthetics in Japan are usually kei cars because they're cheaper to develop and represent less of a financial risk for taking such an aesthetic gamble. If the aesthetics work out, they often incorporate those elements into more expensive lineups. AFAIK the Honda Element was developed this way -- from characteristics that were known popular elements from Hondas' kei-car lineups.