car parts are more expensive to get in Japan, possibly even compatibility issues with Japan-made parts. Another is as @TaiwanIsNotChina said, American cars are just too big for Japanese roads. A ford raptor would just occupy both lanes of a city's secondary road but would just have the flatbed capacity of a kei truck. not to mention the atrocious fuel consumption.
why buy something imported when you can buy something locally made that is more suited for your situation?
Mitsubishi have started selling the Triton/L200, a midsized pickup they make for the US, in Japan. I see the odd Tundra too, a US Toyota that folk must be importing and is about the same size as famous US pickups like the Ford F150. I've seen one close up in person and they are really big and crazy high at the front. For doing actual work, big vans, trucks, UNICs etc. are way more useful.
Japan is the biggest market outside of North America for the Jeep Wrangler, a big, bold, tough heavy-duty vehicle that has become popular with younger Japanese buyers, particularly those into outdoor activities. But the Wrangler is also not very fuel efficient. Fuelly reports a median 16 mpg. Competing models would include the Suzuki Jimny (median 27 mpg) and the Toyota Land Cruiser (median 13 mpg).
Conversely, new passenger vehicles in Japan average 55 mpg.
For Japanese buyers valuing fuel economy, vehicles that are large and heavy might not be desirable.
True about Jeep. It’s a niche market, but bigger than GM, which sells dozens of cars per year.
Trump says the reason US cars don’t sell in Japan is because Japan drops bowling balls on US cars as a test. If there is a dent, it can’t be imported. As Michael Caine would say, “Not a lot of people know that.”
The answer is the same for "Why are American cars a tough sell in America?"
Apart from the vast land between the East Coast and West Coast, Middle to Upper economic class Americans prefer Japanese (or European) cars over American ones. Excluding niche cars like Jeep and sports cars.
Since the mid-late 1970s, Americans have accepted that Japanese cars are made better, more economical and last longer than US made cars, Even after the 80s when Japanese cars started to be made in America.
And please, someone inform the orange idiot that it's not a bowling ball, it's a round metal weight designed to simulate a human skull. Dropped from 2m height, not 6m as numbskull claims. And, cars don't get get rejected because the drop causes a hood dent, they get rejected if it DOESN'T cause a dent. That's because they're measuring how much the hood will "give" in the event of a collision impact with a human being.
No other species on this planet would choose the dumbest member of the pack to be their leader.
American cars are similarly unpopular in Europe too. There's a good reason for Japanese cars to be popular bother both here and elsewhere- they're good! Why would you want to downgrade?
Just read OssanAmerica's comments above. He makes a very good point. Other than the humongous pickup trucks being American makes, most Americans seem to prefer Japanese, German or Korean cars/suv's in general. Ford is relying primarily on its F150 pickup to survive. They mostly gave up producing passenger car models. Chevy and Dodge also rely mainly on their pickup sales for the bulk of their business. Jeep seems to be an exception. I don't believe this is a permanent thing though. As EV's begin to dominate, the Chinese will be prominent and hopefully the US,Europe,Japan and Korea will succeed to innovate and continue to lead this field. The US already showed what it can do buy being ahead with its Tesla. It's a bit unfortunate that the CEO is a bit of a disaster though, but that's beside the point, sorry ;)
In the last few days i have seen two or three good-looking American cars, of a more reasonable size. Some manufacturers are making an effort, it seems, and I am sure they will begin to attract Japanese buyers. I also saw a giant Toyota pick-up yesterday, a re-import, designed for the US market, I guess, which looked pretty impractical for Japanese roads and supermarket parking lots, but would appeal to those who want or need to stand out from the crowd.
Tesla also doing well in terms of sales increases, and they have left side teering wheel. Assume mainly homeowners who can charge.
More and more homeowners in Tokyo with EV's. Once someone gets one, surrounding homeowners quickly follow suit, word travels fast, as nobody likes wasting time at expensive dirty gas stations, oil changes etc.
While Japan is a right-hand drive (RHD) country, Tesla currently offers its Model S and Model X in Japan as left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles only. Tesla has not stated plans to produce RHD versions of the Model S and Model X for the Japanese market.
While Japan is a right-hand drive (RHD) country, Tesla currently offers its Model S and Model X in Japan as left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles only. Tesla has not stated plans to produce RHD versions of the Model S and Model X for the Japanese market.
Incorrect. While they don't have any new Model X units, and only two Model S units (both LHD) in stock in Japan currently, they have a bunch of used S and X in RHD. So, they definitely were making them that way for the JDM.
But, that's moot, as the Model 3 and Model Y are the currently popular Tesla models in Japan, which are both RHD.
(FYI- Not an endorsement of Tesla. There are many other EVs I would chose over Tesla.)
30 Comments
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TaiwanIsNotChina
Probably too big as they are made for US Freedom Suburbs. I even find them tough to park for the most part.
Toshihiro
car parts are more expensive to get in Japan, possibly even compatibility issues with Japan-made parts. Another is as @TaiwanIsNotChina said, American cars are just too big for Japanese roads. A ford raptor would just occupy both lanes of a city's secondary road but would just have the flatbed capacity of a kei truck. not to mention the atrocious fuel consumption.
why buy something imported when you can buy something locally made that is more suited for your situation?
GuruMick
Er....
GuruMick
US cars do not compare well with Japanese cars.
Stinkaroo would be the word I would choose.
gaijintraveller
Because the yakuza now prefer German cars to Lincolns. Lincolns went out of fashion with the punch perm.
American cars were always associated with Yakuza. Transa-Ams and Firebirds were thought of as chimpira cars.
shogun36
because unless you're hauling gear for a construction job, what's the point?
JDM works just fine, otherwise.
Peter Neil
I’m no expert, but I think not having any dealers could have something to do with it.
Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW sell hundreds of thousands of cars per year in Japan. GM has some scattered dealers, but Ford pulled out long ago.
Again, I’m no expert, but I don’t think Japanese carmakers would sell too many cars in the US with the steering wheel on the right. Whaddya think?
wallace
The Ford dealership left in 2016 and turned out the lights on the way out.
Seigi
Outdated design and car parts not easily available during repair.
kohakuebisu
Mitsubishi have started selling the Triton/L200, a midsized pickup they make for the US, in Japan. I see the odd Tundra too, a US Toyota that folk must be importing and is about the same size as famous US pickups like the Ford F150. I've seen one close up in person and they are really big and crazy high at the front. For doing actual work, big vans, trucks, UNICs etc. are way more useful.
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/mitsubishi-l200-2015-4-door-pickup-vs-toyota-tundra-2014-pick-up-double-cab-sb/
The only US car I would consider is a Tesla and that's because they are the cheapest EVs with 4wd on the used car market.
Bobby Franks
Japan is the biggest market outside of North America for the Jeep Wrangler, a big, bold, tough heavy-duty vehicle that has become popular with younger Japanese buyers, particularly those into outdoor activities. But the Wrangler is also not very fuel efficient. Fuelly reports a median 16 mpg. Competing models would include the Suzuki Jimny (median 27 mpg) and the Toyota Land Cruiser (median 13 mpg).
Conversely, new passenger vehicles in Japan average 55 mpg.
For Japanese buyers valuing fuel economy, vehicles that are large and heavy might not be desirable.
Peter Neil
True about Jeep. It’s a niche market, but bigger than GM, which sells dozens of cars per year.
Trump says the reason US cars don’t sell in Japan is because Japan drops bowling balls on US cars as a test. If there is a dent, it can’t be imported. As Michael Caine would say, “Not a lot of people know that.”
OssanAmerica
The answer is the same for "Why are American cars a tough sell in America?"
Apart from the vast land between the East Coast and West Coast, Middle to Upper economic class Americans prefer Japanese (or European) cars over American ones. Excluding niche cars like Jeep and sports cars.
Since the mid-late 1970s, Americans have accepted that Japanese cars are made better, more economical and last longer than US made cars, Even after the 80s when Japanese cars started to be made in America.
And please, someone inform the orange idiot that it's not a bowling ball, it's a round metal weight designed to simulate a human skull. Dropped from 2m height, not 6m as numbskull claims. And, cars don't get get rejected because the drop causes a hood dent, they get rejected if it DOESN'T cause a dent. That's because they're measuring how much the hood will "give" in the event of a collision impact with a human being.
No other species on this planet would choose the dumbest member of the pack to be their leader.
MAGA....
Negative Nancy
Another article about America!
American cars are similarly unpopular in Europe too. There's a good reason for Japanese cars to be popular bother both here and elsewhere- they're good! Why would you want to downgrade?
Yrral
Chevy Silverado will leave a Toyota 4 Runner in the dust, Google Silverado Vs Toyota 4 Runner
ALmost
Just read OssanAmerica's comments above. He makes a very good point. Other than the humongous pickup trucks being American makes, most Americans seem to prefer Japanese, German or Korean cars/suv's in general. Ford is relying primarily on its F150 pickup to survive. They mostly gave up producing passenger car models. Chevy and Dodge also rely mainly on their pickup sales for the bulk of their business. Jeep seems to be an exception. I don't believe this is a permanent thing though. As EV's begin to dominate, the Chinese will be prominent and hopefully the US,Europe,Japan and Korea will succeed to innovate and continue to lead this field. The US already showed what it can do buy being ahead with its Tesla. It's a bit unfortunate that the CEO is a bit of a disaster though, but that's beside the point, sorry ;)
Garthgoyle
Try driving a Ford-150 thru Azabu or Hiroo and you'll get your answer right away.
Yrral
Japanese cars are routinely flattened by American cars, especially by Chevy that are still.made of metal
nandakandamanda
In the last few days i have seen two or three good-looking American cars, of a more reasonable size. Some manufacturers are making an effort, it seems, and I am sure they will begin to attract Japanese buyers. I also saw a giant Toyota pick-up yesterday, a re-import, designed for the US market, I guess, which looked pretty impractical for Japanese roads and supermarket parking lots, but would appeal to those who want or need to stand out from the crowd.
HopeSpringsEternal
Jeeps selling like CRAZY in my area of Tokyo. Been the case since Trump 1.0 got them access to Japan's market.
HopeSpringsEternal
Tesla also doing well in terms of sales increases, and they have left side teering wheel. Assume mainly homeowners who can charge.
More and more homeowners in Tokyo with EV's. Once someone gets one, surrounding homeowners quickly follow suit, word travels fast, as nobody likes wasting time at expensive dirty gas stations, oil changes etc.
wallace
How many American Jeeps are sold in Japan? 15,000 units annually. Drop in a big ocean.
How many Teslas are sold in Japan? Only 6.000 models have been sold.
USNinJapan2
wallace
That isn't something to scoff at. That's significantly more than the total number of British cars sold here annually.
Negative Nancy
They still make cars in the UK? What exactly?
garypen
Chrysler/Jeep was in Japan long before Trump's first term. He had nothing to do with it.
garypen
Incorrect once again. The Teslas sold here are RHD.
wallace
While Japan is a right-hand drive (RHD) country, Tesla currently offers its Model S and Model X in Japan as left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles only. Tesla has not stated plans to produce RHD versions of the Model S and Model X for the Japanese market.
garypen
Mini Cooper, for one. (Countryman, Aceman, and EV models are made elsewhere.)
Most Range Rover and Land Rover models, for another.
Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lotus, McLaren, and a few others are HQ'd and make most of their models in the UK, as well.
Does that answer your question?
garypen
Incorrect. While they don't have any new Model X units, and only two Model S units (both LHD) in stock in Japan currently, they have a bunch of used S and X in RHD. So, they definitely were making them that way for the JDM.
But, that's moot, as the Model 3 and Model Y are the currently popular Tesla models in Japan, which are both RHD.
(FYI- Not an endorsement of Tesla. There are many other EVs I would chose over Tesla.)