Autoblog

The last figures I saw put the total annual sales of Mercedes, BMW, and Audi in Japan at around 100,000. So compared to the luxury markets in the U.S. and Europe that in Japan is very small. Put another way, there is still much room for growth, and anyone who thinks Lexus won't get a big chunk of any growth is deceiving themselves.

If we simply look at sales of car over, say, $40,000, then how much of this segment does Toyota already own with the Crown, Aristo, or whatever they currently offer?

Reply

↓↑report

Ugh. Why would I buy a Japanese Luxury car if it isn't good enough for the Japanese. Until Honda and Toyota increase marketshare in Japan by producing reliable and stylish cars, you won't see me buying any of their vehicles.

Reply

↓↑report

First of all, Toyota only recently launched the Lexus brand in Japan, and Honda continues to sell its "Acuras" as Hondas there. Honda Integra (Acura RSX), Honda NSX, Honda Legend (Acura RL) etc. It'll take them 10-15 to establish the Lexus and Acura brands there - as in the NA market.

Reply

↓↑report

what a nice sign!

Reply

↓↑report

Sigh. Boring styling and agricultural design put them in this predicament. And those interiors? Yawn. They have nobody to blame but themselves for thinking people will buy this hogwash.

Hey, here's an idea: make some good cars that people want to buy. Japanese cars have been terrible for as long as I can remember (since the 70's). I've heard that they have improved through the years, but I refuse to believe that because I have an unexplanable need to bash Japanese at every turn, even when my attacks are not based on fact. Indeed, most of my attacks on Japanese cars are only the manifestation of my mighty need to feel superior by attacking Japanese cars and by acting like I know what I am talking about.

I'm trying to stop the hate though, because I realize that bashing Japanese cars for no real reason does not make me superior to others. So, if you ever see me, Harold Sasser, bashing Japanese cars without any real reason, please stop me. Indicators that I may be doing this include, but are not limited to:

1. Making ASSERTIONS that Japanese cars are inferior. I believe that if I assert something enough times, it is true and thus I am truly superior to others. I will often assert that Japanese cars have poor quality, even though they have clearly improved greatly over the years and are comparable to their modern counterparts in other car companies. Also, because Japanese cars have been of terrible quality in the past, it follows that they are of terrible quality now.

2. Using double standards while comparing Japanese cars to other cars. A Japanese car is never good, and I will attack the qualities of Japanese cars which are also found in similar cars from other companies. My favourite tactic is to attack the interior of Japanese cars because such attacks are mostly subjective and, thus, they do not need to be justified. I will also say things such as "Sigh" and "Ugh" because this makes me feel good about myself.

3. I will often pass judgement on Japanese cars without actually driving them or seeing them in person. Even if they are comparable to similar cars from other companies, I will ignore this because a Japanese car is never good. Never.

4. Should somebody disagree with me, I will attack their weakest argument or change it to fit my own agenda. When I cannot do this successfully, I will merely make my assertion again (remember, if I keep saying it, it must be true).

This by no means is a comprehensive list (to list all my tactics would be far too time consuming). Please, help me stop my hate.

Reply

↓↑report

The Japanese are smarter than us Americans after all.

Reply

↓↑report

Whofan, that was actually pretty damned funny. Thanks :)

Reply

↓↑report

#5 I was being facetious. It was a joke! The focus was to point out that many people who post on these comments hate domestic cars with such a passion that they resort to ridiculous claims and assertions.

Reply

↓↑report

Lexus and Infinity are nice cars.They do go after the Bavarian Sedans in design,assembly and so on.

I think the Japs want Foreign cars for status maybe?It's like we in NA Buy Foreign cars to be diferent,but now it's the main stream.

The Germans do have nicer interiors though,suspension,road manners,power,but I think it's more status,maybe I'm wrong...

Reply

↓↑report

I think one important factor in the American market's better acceptance of the new Japanese luxury brands has been the fact that Americans are used to automakers having multiple brands, with different status. GM has always had Cadillac, Ford has always had Lincoln. Where-as, historically, European car companies have had only single brands.

Reply

↓↑report

#5 Sasser
That was good....Whether domestic or import, you basically summarized most of the posts on Autoblog... ;-)

Reply

↓↑report

What kind of car is an 'Infinity"?

Reply

↓↑report

Well, having had a BMW must LOVE the hugging the road and speed capacity, but HATE HATE that the electrical components are always a little screwed.i.e. door locks not locking now, computer light blinking "Oil Service"--just got it serviced last month.

Give me a Japanese car anyday for just plain minimal maintenance and longevity.

Buy me a Bavarian for sheer engine power and sexy growling sounds!

What a quandry. Must mean that I have too much money to waste on the Bavarian.

Reply

↓↑report