Lettuce
Mitsubishi debuted its Minica Lettuce in 1989, at a time when the Japanese car industry was booming and they optimistically thought Japanese ladies might drive a car that sounded like a deli sandwich. The 550cc engine, which translated to a modest 46 horsepower, met government regulations for a modest “kei” car. The hatchback was 10 feet long and four and a half feet wide. There were two doors on the passenger side but only one on the driver’s side.
Believe it or not, the Lettuce was an improvement over other modest cars of the time. It braked better, had a bigger interior, and all-wheel drive. Power steering, power seats, and power windows came standard.
Primarily designed for Japanese women to drive on tiny, narrow streets, the Lettuce was not recommended for highway driving. It was advertised as a car women would want to take shopping.