Nissan Car Exporters

Company is also eyeing a hybrid variant

Nissan recently announced plans to offer a 5.0-liter V8 Cummins turbo diesel engine in their next-generation Titan and it looks like Toyota was paying attention.

Toyota's Rick LoFaso revealed a "diesel engine is something that is on our evaluation list" for the new Tundra. He added "I think Cummins would bring instant name recognition and obviously they are a leader in diesel engine technology." While he stopped short of confirming a tie-up, LoFaso said Toyota isn't opposed to working with other companies as he noted recent partnerships with BMW and Tesla.

Despite floating the possibility of a diesel engine, LoFaso confirmed the company is also considering a Tundra Hybrid. He went on to say either a hybridized or diesel engine could deliver "some pretty good real world fuel economy."

Source: Wheels Dealers 

BMW M4 Coupe

The BMW M4 Coupe has been getting all the attention lately but it's time for the M4 Convertible to shine as both our spies have managed to snap photos of the upcoming model.

Looking virtually identical to its coupe counterpart, the M4 Convertible has an aggressive appearance thanks to modified bumpers, revised side skirts and a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system. The car has also been equipped with a bulging hood, an M6-inspied grille and a folding hardtop.

BMW has been coy about specifications but the model is expected to use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that develops approximately 420 bhp (313 kW). Despite rumors of the car being equipped exclusively with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, a mountain of evidence suggests a six-speed manual will be offered as well.

The M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe are expected to debut at the North American International Auto Show in January, so the convertible will likely be unveiled a few months later.

SOURCE: Wheels Dealers

Toyota Prius

Hydrogen fuel cell concept confirmed for Tokyo

Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso has revealed some new details about the 2015 Prius and the company's upcoming hydrogen vehicle.

Speaking at a press conference in Michigan, Ogiso said "when the next-generation Prius arrives, it will begin a new era for a broad range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles" as it will be “the first to introduce a substantially improved family of hybrid power trains.” Ogiso declined to go into specifics but confirmed the new hybrid power trains will deliver "significantly improved fuel economy in a more compact package that is lighter in weight and lower in cost." The power train will also offer greater performance as it will feature the latest advances in battery, electric motor and petrol engine technologies.

As for the Prius itself, it will ride on the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that has a lower center of gravity and increased structural rigidity. The car will also have improved aerodynamics and a more accommodating cabin with "significant refinements in design, layout and ease of operation." We can also expect a smaller electric motor, a more efficient petrol engine and improved batteries with a higher energy density.

Ogiso also revealed the next-generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid is being developed alongside the standard model. He didn't have much to say about the car but confirmed the company is developing a new wireless/inductive charging system and is looking for ways to extend the car's electric-only range.

Toyota also confirmed work is progressing well on their hydrogen vehicle that is due in 2015. The production model will be mid-size four-door sedan and its design will be previewed by a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in November.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers 

Toyota Car Exporters in Japan

Toyota is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Supra Mk IV by taking a look back at the iconic model.

Originally introduced at the 1993 Chicago Motor Show, the car has heralded as a true supercar as it managed to outrun more expensive rivals like the Porsche 911 Turbo. While the entry-level model had a naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter straight six with 220 bhp (164 kW), the high-performance variant added two turbochargers to increase the output to 326 bhp (243 kW).

The car also made a name for itself on the track as it won its class in the Swiss Mountain Races and competed in 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and the Japan GT Championships.

Despite the car's cult-like following, slow sales caused it to be dropped in the United Kingdom in 1996 and in the United States in 1998. The model soldiered on in Japan until it was finally axed in 2002 because the company felt it would be too expensive to modify the car to meet newer emission standards.

In all, Toyota sold 593,337 Supras - including Celica Supras - from April 1978 to July 2002.

Source: 

Wheels Dealers

Luxury Car Dealers in Japan

The battle to become the number one luxury car manufacturer globally, the three automakers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are working very aggressively. All three have a number of new products to be launched in the near future, and are preparing to woo the customers by showing their class-leading products at the upcoming 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Meanwhile, the 2015 Audi Q7 has been spotted during its test rounds in southern European road. WorldCarFans has managed to click the SUV, and provided the details of the vehicle.

The spotted Q7 is fully covered, but it seems like Audi has made some developmental changes to look it more aggressive and sporty. The 2014 Audi Q7 gets a prominent grille that is walled by LED-infused headlights, a sloping roofline, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a dual exhaust system.

It was reported earlier that the 2015 Audi Q7 will be developed on an extended version of the Volkswagen Touareg/Porsche Cayenne platform, but now the recent updates are that the vehicle will be based on the new MLB architecture that will be shared with the Lamborghini Urus, the Bentley crossover and the next-generation Touareg/Cayenne. This platform will help the company to reduce its weight up to 363 kg, making it more responsive and efficient.

Nothing on the engine configuration has been confirmed, but we expect it to be powered by the 310bhp, 3.0-litre V6 TFSI and a 435bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engines. The diesel version of the 2015 Audi Q7 is expected to receive a 258bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI and a 385bhp, 4,2-litre V8 TDI engine. Rumors has it that the vehicle could also come in a plug-in hybrid variant, which will use a 3.0-litre TDI engine with a 115bhp electric motor.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Honda Car Dealers in Japan

A prototype of the Honda Civic Type-R was spied testing at the Nürburgring in Germany.

Honda's CEO Takanobu reconfirmed recently the hotter Civic is scheduled for a 2015 market release. It's also a known fact output will be of at least 265 bhp (198 kW) but they are aiming at about 300 bhp (224 kW) probably provided by a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.

Honda hopes the 2015 Civic Type-R will become the quickest FWD car on the Nürburgring, beating the Renault Megane RS Trophy which currently holds the record with a time of 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds.

The new Civic Type-R will feature an aerodynamic body kit with beefier side skirts and a prominent rear wing. We should also expect to see a quad sport exhaust system and high-performance brakes hiding behind larger alloy wheels. The Japanese marque mentioned the car will use some of the tech derived from the company's Civic WTCC racer.

SOURCE:
Wheels Dealers

Toyota Car Dealers in Japan

Several videos of the 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado have surfaced on YouTube following a leak earlier this week.

Looking far more controversial than its predecessor, the face-lifted model has a new front fascia with a prominent grille that is flanked by distinctive headlights. 

The other changes are more conservative but include a revised tailgate and new taillights. The exterior styling changes won't win everyone over but the cabin retains the high-quality feel of its predecessor. 

The differences are hard to spot but appear to include revised switchgear and updated trim. Engine options are expected to carryover so look for an assortment of familiar petrol and Diesel Units 

Source: 

Wheels Dealers

Toyota Used Car Exporters

Turbo and hybrid also considered

Toyota GT 86's chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has announced the company is testing a GT 86 fitted with a larger engine.

Many are eagerly waiting for the Toyota GT 86 / Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ trio to get a power boost from the 2.0-liter boxer engine and this will happen sooner or later. While Subaru had us fooled with its BRZ tS, Toyota is testing a GT 86 equipped with an engine that has more displacement than the stock 2.0 liters. In addition, they are also trying out turbocharging and a hybrid system.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, Toyota will probably opt for increasing displacement to 2.5 liters which should enable the engine to develop around 250 HP (184 kW), representing a 50 HP (37 kW) power hike over the current model.

Toyota GT 86 could get naturally-aspirated 250 bhp 2.5-liter engine - report

Interestingly, Tada confirmed a concept for the next-gen model is already in development and "hinted that it could be a radically different car, potentially dropping the boxer engine altogether."

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japan's Toyota Motor

Japan's Toyota Motor says it will start making its Lexus luxury cars in the United States in 2015

Toyota President Akio Toyoda unveiled the plan in New York on Friday. The automaker apparently aims to use the move to increase its profits in the competitive North American market.

 

The company plans to expand operations at its Kentucky factory and produce 50,000 units of the Lexus ES sedan annually.

Toyota now produces 100,000 Lexus ES cars at its factory in Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan. 

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japanese car-maker Nissan

Japanese car-maker, Nissan has yesterday launched the new Dayz mini car in its home country, which has been co-developed by Mitsubishi Motors. The DAYZ is the first mini-car (referred to as kei cars in Japan),for which Nissan has been involved from the very start - from planning to design and development - and it is equipped with a top class fuel-efficient engine, built specifically for the vehicle. However, Mitsubishi Motors will sell the car under the brand name of ek-Wagon. The car returns an impressive fuel economy of 29.2 kmpl. 

Nissan Dayz Regional Product Manager Masanobu Yasui noted the features of the mini-car and the back-story to its conception. "Nissan's design team has for the first time, fully challenged the restricted dimensions of the kei cars. Through their relentless effort and research, they created a deep character line without sacrificing the cabin space, which can't be seen in other kei models," said Yasui. 

"In terms of technology, we have featured an around-view monitor for the first time in a kei car, as well as air-conditioning with touch-panel control. These features help to achieve high utility and quality." "We have achieved fuel-economy of 29.2 kilometers per liter, which is best-in-class. To achieve this, we have developed an ‘Idling Stop' system that stops the engine just before the car comes to a full stop. Also, we have coated the pistons to reduce engine friction, using the latest fuel-efficient CVT. This accumulation of small but important technologies has contributed to the great fuel-economy." 

Today, kei cars constitute more than one-third of total demand in Japan, and competition is high among Japanese car-makers to get the biggest slice of the pie. Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said it is important for Nissan to get into the kei car business with its own models. "We have put in Nissan's various know how and technologies, including design, performance and fuel-economy into this car, so that we can make our customers satisfied. We are very emotional about this car. I'm very excited today that this car will go on sale," told Shiga. "Registered vehicles, models as Note, Serena and Sylphy, are selling well, however, the kei cars in our stable until now are causing us to lose market share. 

By introducing this Nissan DAYZ, I would like to energize our sales and regain our market share." The automaker has already announced that a second series model is on the way, to be released early next year, meaning more exciting DAYZ ahead. 

SOURCE: 

Wheels Dealers

Japanese Used Car Dealers in Japan

The new Auris is available in seven exterior colors. Two interior colors, black and 'greige' are available.

Toyota claims that all Auris models feature an omni-directional compatibility body structure that minimizes body deformation.

The car comes equipped with the option of a glass roof, extending back to the rear seats. Thin seat backs are meant to provide more legroom for the rear seats.

The seats have been lowered 40 mm for a lower driving position and the steering wheel angle has been modified to 'enhance' the feel of sporty driving.

Functional components such as the door grips, audio controls, steering wheel and gear stick have been given a metallic finish.

The car also comes with new features such as impact-absorbing hoods and bumpers.

SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags are optional. Automatic high beams, with camera sensor are meant to detect bright light during night-driving.

According to Toyota, the wheel arches are designed to reduce the gap between the body and tires. The vehicle dimensions have been modified (length increased 30 mm and height reduced 55 mm). Power steering on 1.8-litre models features brush-less motors and a modified gear ratio. 

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japanese Car

For the 2014 model year, Scion will be releasing the limited edition iQ Monogram that takes the iQ “to the next level by adding premium features at a great value,” according to the Japanese automaker.

Pricing on the 2014 Scion iQ Monogram Edition, of which only 150 will be made, was also announced at $17,275 including a $755 handling fee. Featuring a two-tone exterior paint combination of black currant metallic with classic silver metallic, the special edition iQ also has color-matched mirrors and spoiler, premium alloy wheels, iQ-emblazoned floor mats,  a touchscreen audio system, and a CVT-i transmission.

Scion also announced pricing for the rest of its 2014 model lineup, with the xD starting at $16,675 with a manual transmission, or $17,475 with an automatic. The xB will be priced from $17,725 equipped with a manual, and $18,675 with an automatic transmission. Lastly, the FR-S manual will have a starting price of $25,455 while the automatic will be $26,555

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japanese used cars are the most reliable

Japanese used cars are the most reliable

As per the latest auto news, a research undertaken by Warranty Direct ・an insurance expert and by What Car? ・the motoring magazine ・indicates that Japanese cars are the most reliable in the used car category. A reliability survey also showed that the top seven places in ten were taken by Japan car manufacturers while European used cars are from among the ten least reliable Japanese car manufacturers Honda ・leading for the fifth year, followed by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Toyota ・in that order ・took the top credits in polls conducted on performing old cars aged between three and ten years . Very few of these cars required repairs in a one year period of use, with Honda leading with the least at just seven per cent cars needing repairs. The other Japanese used cars leading the lot were Mazda and Nissan. Germany-made Skoda and Britain-made MINI were the only cars from the west that passed the survey of reliable used cars, with Skoda in the eighth and MINI in the tenth position. Among the least reliable cars Land Rover of Britain led at 53% failure rate with other European cars Renault Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Vauxhall, MG, Saab, BMW, Rover and the Audi proving to be prone to more break downs. What Car? stated that break down charges on a Renault are lower as compared to Mazda and Porsche. These surveys are a boon to car manufacturers, which keep striving to improve the mechanics of their newer models to making them more reliable and in another couple of years of more, the hard facts on these poorly performing vehicles are likely to disappear altogether. Car manufacturers holding prestigious positions have had to undergo embarrassing rates of failure as compared to manufacturers of cars that have been pegged as not being reliable, as the latter are showing signs of improving on their reliability status. Among Japanese manufactured cars, in spite of the fact that used Honda cars give the least problems, ten percent of their break downs happen with the air conditioning systems. Subarus have gained notoriety with their brakes failure and axle and suspension problems. Even with Toyota having to recall several thousands of their cars from the showrooms, their reliability rating for Japanese used cars has not fallen. The new manufacturing units for Japanese cars are improving on their cars and it is anticipated that Japanese cars will maintain their number one position for being the most reliable cars. So, if you have decided to buy a used Japanese car, you have not made a wrong decision.       SOURCE: Wheels Dealers

Wheels Dealers

Detroit automakers need to stop whining about the weak yen damaging their ability to compete against Japanese automakers. It conjures up decades-old images of excuse-making, when the Detroit 3's problems were everyone's fault but their own.

The yen was trading in the range of 80-90 to the dollar for the past couple of years, before its recent correction, meaning the yen was strong while the dollar was weak. But what got it there?

The yen was consistently trading at 110 to 120 to the dollar for nearly a decade, whereupon the 2008 Lehman Brothers bankruptcy shocked the global economic system. The dollar weakened horribly as U.S. banks suffered huge losses and the U.S. economy stalled
.
During the global economic doldrums, Japan and its yen became comparatively strong, and the yen zoomed to 80 to the dollar.

Today, the American economy is in recovery, and Japan is finally taking steps to get its own economy in shape.

Japan's Abenomics measures to boost its economy rely on loads of new public debt -- in a country with a larger budget deficit than the United States'. They have strengthened its economy but weakened its currency. Hence the dollar is rebounding against the yen.

So what does this mean to the auto industry?

Detroit loves to harp that every time the yen weakens by 1 yen against the dollar, that means $350 million in extra profit for Japanese car companies. A 10-yen swing means $3.5 billion more in the black for Japan Inc., which, to be fair, has been borne out in recent earnings reports.

But look again at the chart. Anyone who has taken an Econ 101 course can draw the 25-year trend line. The yen is right around where it should be.

We're hearing lots of currency-manipulation talk from protectionists, but none of them were asking us to take it easy on Japan when the dollar plummeted 40 percent against the yen back in the mid-'90s, and again a few years ago.

For the past five years, the Detroit 3 have basically had a free shot at stealing profit and market share from Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Now that opportunity has run its course, and the trend line shows that the playing field has once again leveled -- if you call that sharply sloping trend line level.

But, really, it's much ado about nothing. Foreign exchange rates don't matter much to a Japanese automaker such as Honda, which builds 90 percent of its U.S.-sold cars in North America. That's how Japanese automakers hedge against currency fluctuations.

All of Detroit's teeth gnashing about unfair exchange rates distracts from the real issue: Compete on product, and let the best car win.


 SOURCE:
Wheels Dealers

Japanese Car

Suzuki plans to sell cost-effective Maruti Cars in Japan

It has been 26 years since Suzuki Motors Corp. launched its first car in the Indian market under the brand name Maruti Suzuki. The company is now set to launch low cost Maruti car models in the Japanese automobile market, from where even Korea’s auto giant Hyundai Motors withdrew after stiff competition there had endangered its growth plans. The first Maruti model to be introduced in Japan will be the Maruti A-Star. Maruti’s importance is growing in the global plans of Suzuki Motors. It currently contributes to over half of the Japanese automaker’s profits and generated about 33% of its total turnover each year rising from just 10% in 2005-06. Maruti Suzuki a-star According to S. Nakanishi, Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki, considering the manner in which Maruti models are capturing the global market, the Japanese car market is certainly not far away.

The A-Star meet’s Europe’s stringent emission norms and is perfectly suited for hitting the highly developed market of Japan, where even top global car makers are finding it tough to survive. Maruti’s A-Star, though relatively new in the Indian market, contributes to almost 25% of the total exports (800,000 cars) by Maruti Suzuki. Currently, Maruti is developing several contemporary models, some of them being small cars, to be launched soon. By 2015, Suzuki will be investing Rs 60 billion (around $1.3 billion) in India to take Maruti’s production capacity per year to 1.75 million cars, and will also establish a new R&D center for producing cars on its own for the global market .

Nowadays, many Japanese automakers are shifting production to low-cost countries for taking advantage of cheaper labor costs and frugal engineering. Suzuki is already moving manufacturing to its overseas subsidiaries in India, Hungary and China, which contribute to over 70% of its total volumes. In comparison, the company is struggling in the sluggish Japanese auto market. Honda also will be manufacturing its Brio compact hatchback for international markets from the Greater Noida region in north India. Nissan has moved the production base of its compact car Micra for its international markets to Chennai in India from the UK, and to Thailand for the South East Asia region and Japan.

Today, Suzuki is a leader in the small cars category and WagonR (of which bigger variants are being sold in India) is the top selling Kei car since 2003 in Japan. Suzuki sells a significant number of the small Kei cars, some of these models being market leaders in Japan. Kei cars are very small yet sophisticated automobiles with 660 cc engines, a combination of nano design and the smallest engines in the world. Now that the Indian market is maturing rapidly, it won’t be long before Suzuki starts selling different Indian-manufactured cars in Japan.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers 

Buying a Used cars

We Understanding our customer, Reduce the Price,and offer customer to buy a Japanese used car Customer Satisfaction Price. Before delivery stock to customer, we send Quality Maintenance (JEVIC -Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center) team to check the car condition.) to check vehicle condition, performance, speed, Export Certification, Odometer verification's, Replacement documentation, Stolen vehicle checks, Structural damage inspections, Translations, Vehicle background checks, Mileage.

Tips:Importing Used Vehicle From Japan

When importing a used vehicle from Japan you should be aware of the following points:

- Check the import regulations of the destination country with the appropriate authorities.

- Check the customs duties payable.

- Confirm the presence of an Export certificate which the Exporter (car dealer) should have, if the Exporter does not have the Export certificate, the vehicle cannot be exported from Japan.

- Ensure that the vehicle has undergone any mandatory pre-shipment inspections in Japan e.g. RWI or Odometer inspections, as required by the importing country.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japanese Automobile Dealers

Small cars are next on the new-product agenda for Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

Toyota's redesigned Corolla and the new Nissan Versa Note arrive in showrooms this year and Honda's Fit successor is due next summer.

But plenty more is in the works over the next four years for the Japanese import brands and another California-based carmaker, Tesla.

Take technology advances, for instance. Honda extends its Earth Dreams engine family next year to the Fit. The engines, with direct injection and double-overhead cams, debuted last year on the Accord.

Honda and Toyota join Nissan in shifting heavily into continuously variable transmissions. Toyota will adopt CVTs starting this fall with the redesigned Corolla.

Among Japan's luxury brands, Infiniti and Acura are aiming to close the gap with Lexus by extending their lineups. Lexus will try to make inroads against Mercedes-Benz and BMW by launching what it promises will be sportier and more exciting vehicles.

Infiniti plans a high-end flagship sedan that would put the brand into the BMW 7-series category. A premium sedan and coupe are planned for later in the decade.

Lexus will add the RC 350 compact coupe next year and its hybrid-powered LF-LC flagship coupe is expected in 2015. Acura's high-tech NSX sports car will debut in the first half of 2015.

Meanwhile, the future product strategy of Toyota's Scion is up in the air, while Tesla is laying out plans to extend its lineup of electric vehicles.

Here are the product plans for Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti and Tesla through 2017.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Toyota Car Exporter

It looks like hybrid cars aren't going to be a rare subspecies with a narrow market niche anymore. Now, the world’s best-selling car will come in a hybrid model too.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday its best-selling Corolla will now be available as a hybrid in Japan, where demand is growing for a wider variety of vehicles that run on both gasoline and electricity. Hybrids accounted for about 20% of vehicles sold in Japan last year.

Toyota has no plans to sell the Corolla hybrid overseas at the moment.

The car is part of Toyota’s plan to offer 21 hybrid models over three years through the end of 2015 to solidify its position as the hybrid leader.

The Corolla will join six hybrid models already on the market. A hybrid Highlander sport-utility vehicle will come off the lot in early 2014.

Toyota has already established itself as the maker of the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius. In terms of price and model, the electrified Corolla will fill the gap between the two best-sellers–the Aqua compact, known as the Prius C overseas, and the Prius hatchback.

The new Corolla would be best-suited for those looking for a sedan-style hybrid bigger than the Aqua, Corolla’s chief hybrid engineer Hiroshi Nakamura told reporters at a briefing.

While competitors like Ford Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. are nipping at Toyota’s heels with their latest fuel-efficiency systems, the new Corolla has no major hybrid rival since Honda discontinued its Civic hybrid in Japan three years ago.

The new Corolla is timely too, with gasoline prices at their highest in nearly five years. It runs 33.0 kilometers on a liter, a little less than the Aqua’s 35.4 km, but better than the Prius’s 32.6 km.

The lowest price of Y1.925 million ($19,650) is below the Prius’ Y2.17 million. Aqua’s lowest price is Y1.69 million.

Yet Toyota has set its monthly sales target surprisingly low, aiming to sell only 2,500 Corolla hybrids a month, including the station-wagon model. That compares with 10,000 a month for the Prius, and 12,000 for the Aqua.

“Of course, we hope to sell more than the target, or even beat the Prius,” Mr. Nakamura said without elaborating.

The Corolla hybrid is 50% more fuel efficient than the gasoline version, but about Y400,000 more expensive. The Prius and the Aqua are hybrid-exclusive models. Mr. Nakamura said the higher costs for the hybrid Corolla may weigh on purchasing decisions.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Suzuki now third in Japanese Car Market

For the first time ever, Suzuki is in third place in the Japanese domestic automotive market trailing behind Toyota and Nissan, overtaking Honda for combined sales of light commercial vehicles and passenger cars. As per the financial daily Nikkei Shimbun, Suzuki sold 587,874 passenger cars and commercial vehicles, behind Toyota (1,417,984) and Nissan (670,096) and ahead of Honda (581,249) and Daihatsu (524,381) between January and October 2006. So what made this possible? Despite the Japanese economic recovery, regular car sales are going down. However it is interesting to note that there is a boom of mini car or kei car in Japan now. These are low cost tiny cars limited to 660 cc engines. Suzuki, Daihatsu and Mitsubishi are the only three companies producing kei cars at the present. Kei cars now account for 35% of unit sales in Japan痴 6 million a year car market. A new kei car costs around one million yen ($9000). These mini cars are cheaper to produce and also receive tax benefits from the government. Japanese people do not want to pay more for luxurious cars nowadays as they look at cars as a normal commodity. As Suzuki is the leader in Kei cars, its domestic sales overtook Honda making it the third best automaker in Japanese domestic market now. Suzuki success in other countries such as India, Pakistan and Hungary is also due to the low cost mini cars it produces there. Next year Suzuki will launch a compact MPV (minivan) based on the Splash concept shown at the recent Paris motor show.

SOURCE:

Wheels Dealers

Japanese Car Market

Suzuki now third in Japanese Car Market

For the first time ever, Suzuki is in third place in the Japanese domestic automotive market trailing behind Toyota and Nissan, overtaking Honda for combined sales of light commercial vehicles and passenger cars. As per the financial daily Nikkei Shimbun, Suzuki sold 587,874 passenger cars and commercial vehicles, behind Toyota (1,417,984) and Nissan (670,096) and ahead of Honda (581,249) and Daihatsu (524,381) between January and October 2006. So what made this possible? Despite the Japanese econominc recovery, regular car sales are going down. However it is interesting to note that there is a boom of mini car or kei car in Japan now. These are low cost tiny cars limited to 660 cc engines. Suzuki, Daihatsu and Mitsubishi are the only three companies producing kei cars at the present. Kei cars now account for 35% of unit sales in Japan痴 6 million a year car market. A new kei car costs around one million yen ($9000). These mini cars are cheaper to produce and also receive tax benefits from the government. Japanese people do not want to pay more for luxurious cars nowadays as they look at cars as a normal commodity. As Suzuki is the leader in Kei cars, its domestic sales overtook Honda making it the third best automaker in Japanese domestic market now. Suzuki痴 success in other countries such as India, Pakistan and Hungary is also due to the low cost mini cars it produces there. Next year Suzuki will launch a compact MPV (minivan) based on the Splash concept shown at the recent Paris motor show. SOURCE: Wheels Dealers

Japanese used cars are the most reliable

As per the latest auto news, a research undertaken by Warranty Direct ・an insurance expert and by What Car? ・the motoring magazine ・indicates that Japanese cars are the most reliable in the used car category. A reliability survey also showed that the top seven places in ten were taken by Japan痴 car manufacturers while European used cars are from among the ten least reliable Japanese car manufacturers Honda ・leading for the fifth year, followed by Subaru, Mitsubishi, Lexus and Toyota ・in that order ・took the top credits in polls conducted on performing old cars aged between three and ten years . Very few of these cars required repairs in a one year period of use, with Honda leading with the least at just seven per cent cars needing repairs. The other Japanese used cars leading the lot were Mazda and Nissan. Germany-made Skoda and Britain-made MINI were the only cars from the west that passed the survey of reliable used cars, with Skoda in the eighth and MINI in the tenth position. Among the least reliable cars Land Rover of Britain led at 53% failure rate with other European cars Renault Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Vauxhall, MG, Saab, BMW, Rover and the Audi proving to be prone to more break downs. What Car? stated that break down charges on a Renault are lower as compared to Mazda and Porsche. These surveys are a boon to car manufacturers, which keep striving to improve the mechanics of their newer models to making them more reliable and in another couple of years of more, the hard facts on these poorly performing vehicles are likely to disappear altogether. Car manufacturers holding prestigious positions have had to undergo embarrassing rates of failure as compared to manufacturers of cars that have been pegged as not being reliable, as the latter are showing signs of improving on their reliability status. Among Japanese manufactured cars, in spite of the fact that used Honda cars give the least problems, ten percent of their break downs happen with the air conditioning systems. Subarus have gained notoriety with their brakes failure and axle and suspension problems. Even with Toyota having to recall several thousands of their cars from the showrooms, their reliability rating for Japanese used cars has not fallen. The new manufacturing units for Japanese cars are improving on their cars and it is anticipated that Japanese cars will maintain their number one position for being the most reliable cars. So, if you have decided to buy a used Japanese car, you have not made a wrong decision.         Source: Wheels Dealers

Japanese Car Dealers, Importers and Exporters

Japanese automakers show luxury, SUV offerings at New York auto expo

Japanese car-makers showcased their sports utility vehicles and luxury cars at the annual New York International Auto Show, which opened on Wednesday.

Toyota Motor Corp. debuted the 2014 Highlander SUV with a redesigned exterior, increased interior space and three engine choices including a hybrid option.

"We think it will wow buyers with its sophisticated look," Toyota group vice president Bill Fay said at the event to introduce the eight-seat vehicle that will be built at the company's manufacturing plant in Indiana.

Ferrari sees Japan as growth market as China, Europe sales slump

Japan is becoming Ferrari's next growth market. Registrations of Fiat SpA (F)'s ultra-luxury brand surged 40 percent to 144 vehicles in Japan last quarter, according to the Japan Automobile Importers Association yesterday.

That's more than twice the growth in the larger U.S. market, while demand is slumping in China, at home and across Europe.

For the fiscal year ended March, Ferrari registrations in Japan increased 46 percent to a 12-year high of 558, according to the import group. The company's not alone in seeing a boom as Volkswagen AG (VOW)'s Lamborghini sold 199 vehicles, the most in at least 14 years, and sales of imported cars worth more than 10 million yen ($105,000) have risen two straight years, based on the registration data.

SOURCE: 
Wheels Dealers

Auto Show - Wheels Dealers

The upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show will host the world premier of at least nine different cars from Chevrolet, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, MINI, Porsche, Subaru and Volkswagen, and 50 new vehicle too will make their North American debut.

However, the show organizer hasn't made any specific comment on the names of the car models, but hinted that MINI will show the much awaited global introduction of the 2014 Cooper. It also confirmed that Porsche will introduce the Macan at the annual event. The other vehicles to be introduced at the Show is still unknown, we expect Mercedes to unveil S65 AMG and Chevrolet could debut the Tahoe or US-spec Colorado. The Japanese automaker, Honda could reveal the updated Fit hatchback, and Volkswagen may display a Golf-based vehicle or the redesigned version of the Jetta SportWagen.

Terri Toennies, General Manager LA Auto Show said,"As the first major North American show of the season, Los Angeles sets the tone for 2014 and we expect that automakers will pull out all the stops to excite new-car buyers. In virtually every category, from the greenest electric vehicle to high-horsepower performance models, the technological advancements we are seeing today eclipse all previous automotive eras.

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