Japan: Car Industry News
10-24-2003, 01:06 PM
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Japan: Car Industry News
Imports Slowly Gaining in Japan
By Paul A. Eisenstein
You first notice it on the way from Narita Airport to the big Makuhari Messe convention center, the emergence of a real import segment within the Japanese market. Stroll the show floor, and you'll notice that European and North American makers (along with the Koreans) have significantly increased their presence. But despite the success of a few high-line luxury makes and quirky specialty vehicles, such as the MINI, imports are still the exception rather than the rule. Market leader Volkswagen sold a record 59,000 vehicles last year, 70,000 if you include the likes of Audi and its other brands. "It's a niche market," conceded VWAG Board Member Prof. Wilfried Bokelmann. Nonetheless, it's a critical market, insisted BMW CEO Helmut Panke, offering "a potential not yet fully exploited." The automaker's MINI can be seen all over Tokyo these days, suggesting that truly distinctive imports are the most likely products to succeed against the Japanese industry juggernaut. Import sales are clearly up from the '80s, when they were a true rarity. Shipping right-hand-drive models has helped. Early entrants, such as Jeep's Cherokee, stuck to left-hand-drive models, an awkward issue in a country filled with toll roads. Import sales have been dancing up and down along with the economy. The good news is that Japan's financial picture is slowly beginning to recover after a decade-long recession. And with money in their pockets, Japanese consumers tend to spend, noted Mark Fields, head of Ford Motor Co.'s Premier Automotive Group. "People in Japan are willing to pay a lot for top-notch brands." Like Jaguar, he's hoping. -
By Paul A. Eisenstein
You first notice it on the way from Narita Airport to the big Makuhari Messe convention center, the emergence of a real import segment within the Japanese market. Stroll the show floor, and you'll notice that European and North American makers (along with the Koreans) have significantly increased their presence. But despite the success of a few high-line luxury makes and quirky specialty vehicles, such as the MINI, imports are still the exception rather than the rule. Market leader Volkswagen sold a record 59,000 vehicles last year, 70,000 if you include the likes of Audi and its other brands. "It's a niche market," conceded VWAG Board Member Prof. Wilfried Bokelmann. Nonetheless, it's a critical market, insisted BMW CEO Helmut Panke, offering "a potential not yet fully exploited." The automaker's MINI can be seen all over Tokyo these days, suggesting that truly distinctive imports are the most likely products to succeed against the Japanese industry juggernaut. Import sales are clearly up from the '80s, when they were a true rarity. Shipping right-hand-drive models has helped. Early entrants, such as Jeep's Cherokee, stuck to left-hand-drive models, an awkward issue in a country filled with toll roads. Import sales have been dancing up and down along with the economy. The good news is that Japan's financial picture is slowly beginning to recover after a decade-long recession. And with money in their pockets, Japanese consumers tend to spend, noted Mark Fields, head of Ford Motor Co.'s Premier Automotive Group. "People in Japan are willing to pay a lot for top-notch brands." Like Jaguar, he's hoping. -
11-19-2003, 04:01 PM
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Car of the Year in Japan
Mazda gets top honors in Japan for RX-8
Reuters / November 19, 2003
TOKYO -- Mazda Motor Corp.'s RX-8 sports car picked up the 'RJC Car of the Year' award in Japan, giving Mazda one of the industry's most coveted awards for the second straight year, Japan's No.5 auto maker said on Wednesday.
The four-door four-seater RX-8, launched this April, beat out runners-up Toyota Motor Corp.'s new Prius hybrid sedan and Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru Legacy, which won the Car of the Year award last week from a separate group.
The 74 judges of the RJC (Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan) also awarded Mazda's new "Renesis" rotary engine, which powers the RX-8, its Technology of the Year award.
After spending half of the 1990s in the red, Mazda, owned one-third by Ford Motor Co., has been rebuilding itself by crafting a fresh brand identity with attractive and unique cars.
A day earlier, its sporty Mazda3/Axela compact was named runner-up in the 2004 European Car of the Year awards, while the Mazda6/Atenza sedan won the RJC's top award last year.
The RJC panel consists of automotive journalists, lawyers and university professors.
Reuters / November 19, 2003
TOKYO -- Mazda Motor Corp.'s RX-8 sports car picked up the 'RJC Car of the Year' award in Japan, giving Mazda one of the industry's most coveted awards for the second straight year, Japan's No.5 auto maker said on Wednesday.
The four-door four-seater RX-8, launched this April, beat out runners-up Toyota Motor Corp.'s new Prius hybrid sedan and Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru Legacy, which won the Car of the Year award last week from a separate group.
The 74 judges of the RJC (Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan) also awarded Mazda's new "Renesis" rotary engine, which powers the RX-8, its Technology of the Year award.
After spending half of the 1990s in the red, Mazda, owned one-third by Ford Motor Co., has been rebuilding itself by crafting a fresh brand identity with attractive and unique cars.
A day earlier, its sporty Mazda3/Axela compact was named runner-up in the 2004 European Car of the Year awards, while the Mazda6/Atenza sedan won the RJC's top award last year.
The RJC panel consists of automotive journalists, lawyers and university professors.
11-19-2003, 04:38 PM
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Re: Car of the Year in Japan
Originally posted by gavriil
[BThe RJC panel consists of automotive journalists, lawyers and university professors. [/B]
[BThe RJC panel consists of automotive journalists, lawyers and university professors. [/B]
lol weird panelist
11-19-2003, 04:53 PM
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Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Was the TL in the voting?
Was the TL in the voting?
Trending Topics
11-20-2003, 03:58 PM
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11-20-2003, 04:44 PM
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Originally posted by ItalianStallion
BTW, rear wiper or not, i'd hit it.
BTW, rear wiper or not, i'd hit it.
11-20-2003, 05:58 PM
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11-21-2003, 06:59 AM
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Originally posted by thai
by: http://www.carview.co.jp/magazine/sp...03/default.asp
by: http://www.carview.co.jp/magazine/sp...03/default.asp
11-21-2003, 09:20 AM
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konichiwa gavriil,
hayk (bowe) no i dont speak japanese, but my g/f does.
but here is a couple of english link for ya,
first yahoo asia news:
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/031114/3/17s4l.html
voting break down:
http://www.subaru.com.hk/CarOfYearResult.html
hayk (bowe) no i dont speak japanese, but my g/f does.
but here is a couple of english link for ya,
first yahoo asia news:
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/031114/3/17s4l.html
voting break down:
http://www.subaru.com.hk/CarOfYearResult.html
12-28-2003, 06:29 PM
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i'd definately trade in my 04 Tsx for the AWD version since I live in a snow climate. I hope they would use the s2000 engine and we would have a 240 4 cylinder AWD Tsx with still at least a 20/28 mpg. that would be the best! still couldn't beat the AWD G35 sedan though.
12-28-2003, 09:05 PM
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Originally posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
Couldn't beat the G35 cause it is a V-6 and has 260hp and 260lbs of Torque.
Couldn't beat the G35 cause it is a V-6 and has 260hp and 260lbs of Torque.
The G35 is a real car with power!
