Japan Is The World's #1 Automaker: How Does This Sit With You?

This is true. They are the #1 automaker with very competitive products

HOWEVER, this doesnt mean they make the #1 cars

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 10:33:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

how is it junk if you never owned one?

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:27:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

would I worry if I was an american? no, because I need something tht benefits my needs like, quality, reliability, low maintenence, history and reputation, ownership, testdrive, etc. not because of where its from. I really don't care about the car industry.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:40:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

funny how many of us live in america ..

— LexusLunatic (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 5:40:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

"How can Japanese vehicles be junk if you have never own one??? STFU already, you're making Americans look stupid with your ignorant comments." me?

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 8:53:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

e90- from a multi BMW owner to a new one wait till your fuel pump, turbos, window switch, radio, door locks, HVAC or many other items fail. As you should know BMW is the best everyday sports salooncoupe but not the most reliable.
Enjoy the 335i. I hope you drive it the way it's designed smart, safe, curtious, and fast in that order.

You should go to Spartenburg for the driving schools, best time outside Euro-delivery.

— adoptgreyhounds (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 9:09:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

SPEND LESS ON WARS AND YOU MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE DECENT CARS AND HAVE A BETTER QUALITY COUNTRY TO BOOT.

— nozferatu (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:20:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That sits just fine with me. Like the article said, if we can't compete in the global economy with quality products that people want to buy, then we deserve to lose...even if it's partly because playing field isn't level.

— sold2early (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 10:55:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

No problem with me.

— jon21 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:00:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

doesnt bother me, the term "buy american" does.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:21:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

who cares where it is made as long as it is good.

— ctsang (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:23:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

Just because Walmart is the number one retail chain in the world doesn't mean it sells the best products.

Just goes to show that most people are NOT car enthusiasts. Most seek an appliance to get them from point A to B with very little excitement. I'm just glad that there are still cars made for us passionate few "gear heads" left in the world.

— Neverfollow (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 11:56:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Civics and Camrys.

Yawn.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 12:06:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I have mixed feelings about this one. I used to be a huge Japanese car fan for whatever reason. When I was younger, I worked at a GMC/Pontiac dealer for awhile and drove so many different cars and trucks. Even though the materials in the GM cars were inferior to the Japanese cars, they still had a lot more character and honeslty were just as reliable. Japanese cars have their problems too, they are just not publicized like the american cars. Anyway, I leased an 06' Cadillac CTS last summer and have had only good times with it. Im am also very much looking foward to the 08' model.

— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 12:13:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

we got other problems to take care of - China! Watch how they slowly start getting aggressive against us. Japan is an ally and will be a close one in terms of containing China.

— unimog (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 12:45:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Despite the fact that your message seems paranoid, you have a very important point. In fact, it made me remember something from a few years ago.

When I first heard what I am about to tell you, I didn't believe it. The original source that I obtained the information from is 100% reputable and would know. I later heard the same again whilst doing my foreign area study for China.

The Chinese military has an exercise that certain branches of their military perform that is very much like what was going on during the cold war. This exercise is to calculate the amount of time it would take an ICBM to be launched from a certain base in China to hit Washington D.C.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 1:23:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Interesting remark !! Something i agree with whole heartedly. China is the rising draqon. One only has to go to Asia to understand its effects. For instance, Japan's biggest trading partner ? China. The U.S.'s biggest trading partner - China . India's (cause its another rising power -albeit not in the same ball park as China) - China.
Japan for all its efforts is now a permanently check mated by the rise of China.
The question to ask is .. is the rise of China bad for the U.S ? IMHO - no, infact the wealth it has generated in this country is amazing.
However, Geopolitical discussions are for another forum.

— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 3:19:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I think it is an amazing feat that the Japanese have been able to find what American consumers want in an automobile and perfect it to a tee.

And this "doesn't mean their products are #1" comments are hilarious. THAT"S EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS! Walmart comparisons end now. Walmart sells millions of DIFFERENT products from many different distributors and suppliers. TOYOTA and HONDA make, market and sell their own products under one producer and supplier: themselves.

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 4:11:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"Japanese cars sell ONLY because they are cheaper." by cheaper? whats your point?

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 4:50:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

It is the fact so get use to it, like it or not...

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 5:03:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

lexus and toyota cars are cheaper in price because the build so many they can lower their costs,german wages are much higher and they run the same risk as the american car companies. Unions and penions raised the prices of american cars so they had to reduce the quality of materials to compete.Every year the sales numbers show this.Numbers don't lie.Its happening slowly but its happening.In 10 years you'll see the difference.

— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 6:55:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

It doesnt sit well with me at all. But I have to give kudos to the Japanese. They know what they are doing. They are goal oriented, disciplined, decisive, and tenacious. The Detroit 3 lost this about 30 years ago. They are a complete mess. Unfortunatly, I do not think they will ever get it back. They are now about 20 years behind the curve, and once you are that far behind, it is quite unlikely they can cover that ground back.

— Qwazywabbit (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 7:23:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I guess Toyota can only go downhill from here. I still predict that GM will make a huge comeback if they do not repeat mistakes of the past.

— EnnNorak (View Profile)

Posted on 7/2/2007 8:27:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Lots of stupid German talking point responses. The Japanese don't have to prove that they are "better" than the Germans by making their products more expensive. I'll kill someone the day a Toyota Camry costs as much as an E-Class. All of you hollering about price why don't you ask yourselves why VW hasn't taken over the world yet? Oh that's right, their similarly-performing vehicles cost too much...

— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 8:04:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The top selling cars are not always the best. Toyota proves this their cars are inferior in performance safety and now quality, but many of their cars are in the top ten sellers list. The reason for this has alot to do with price, marketing and perception.

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 9:25:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Vehicles made in the U.S.A,No thank you.I'm sorry to say it,but when it come to designing and building cars the U.S sucks...

— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 11:07:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"And anyway since when you compare the cheap looking trash made by Toyota with the stylish and great handling cars made by VW? What car enthusiast would ever compare the excellent cars made by VW with the cheap appliances made by Toyota?"

Are you aware that VW has lately ( for a few years now) had quality control problems that surpass any Asian car band (even Hyundai). VW makes very nice looking cars but the point is that their quality has been struggling and their quite expensive compared to other cars in their class. In addition, the cost to repair VW's is very expensive compared to a Honda or Toyota (and parts may take loger to get). To top it off the Jetta and Beetle are not made in Germany but Mexico (I not being racist---I'M A MEXICAN MYSELF) which means that your not really getting that highly desired German craftsmanship. VW's have really unique and bold looking cars but they are NOT the most reliable or cheap to fix.
Yes, Toyota and Honda have been coming out with products that are questionably "boring" looking but they still sell and are a good value (they also have a good resale values). Toyota and Honda have had their issues with quality but you have to understand that when companies get big, it can be difficult to control quality. It also looks worse when they have quality control issues because it affects a larger number of cars because they produce so many compared to lower production car companies.


"The point is that quantity does not mean quality. Japanese products are cheaper therefore they appeal to a larger mass. If the Japanese makers want to prove that their cars are better they should price them similarly as the German rivals. "

What does this quote suppose to mean? Japanese cars are cheaper in quality than German cars. Umm, no. Most German cars have many costly faulty problems with their electronics. They come with with very creative and different things to put in their cars but when they break they are expensive to fix. For example, when BMW came out with their iDRIVE system it has issues of not being very user friendly---FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, YOU HAVE TO NAVIGATE WITH A ROUND JOYSTICK ON YOUR CENTER CONSOLE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH MENUS ON A SCREEN TO TURN THE DAMN AIR CONDITIONER ON. Why not just put button on your center console like most other car companies! Also, do you really need a fan built into your bottom seat to blow air up but--I'm not kidding the 7 series has this feature. Eventually they do fix these problems but what's the whole point. German car companies try too hard to add features and technology that are not always that great. Yeah, BMW has their 3 year preventive maintenance service (great marketing) but you keep that car after that service is over, you will probably pay through the nose for repairs when they happen. Overall, you probably will pay less in overall price for Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, etc.--including repairs. This is because Japanese car companies (and other Asian car compai

— froggy780 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 11:39:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

German car companies try too hard to add features and technology that are not always that great. Yeah, BMW has their 3 year preventive maintenance service (great marketing) but you keep that car after that service is over, you will probably pay through the nose for repairs when they happen. Overall, you probably will pay less in overall price for Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, etc.--including repairs. This is because Japanese car companies (and other Asian car compaines try not to put too many faulty toys in their cars and what they do put is is usually practical like A/C controls on your steering wheel not. Another thing---Japanese car companies don't need to "price their vehicles as much as Geramn car companies" because they don't nearly cost as much to make. As i said before, they don't put in all these toys!!!


My point is that both German and Japanese cars have their issues with quality and what not. When it comes down to cost, reliability, value, and ease of finding repair, Japnese cars (or other Asian imports) surpass many other American or European cars. If you want a BMW, buy a BMW. I nothing against buying a European car. If you can actually afford to buy a BMW, Audi, etc. then repair costs (OR ANY COSTS IN GENERAL) shouldn't really mean much to you. Hey, I would love to own a 3 series BMW but the truth is that I can't afford it and I know that overall my Accord will last just as long and probably not have as many repair costs.

BUY WHAT YOU WANT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY!!!

— froggy780 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 11:42:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Only one post brought up the real reason Japanese cars are moving ahead of U.S. cars. Health care and pension costs are dramatically lower for the Japanese. The avg U.S. auto worker charges $70/hour. Compare that with $40/hour for the Japanese.
I believe the Germans are close to the U.S. rate.
It's amazing the U.S. cars are as good as they are with this handicap!!

— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 11:57:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Why did the new Buick Lucerne come out with an antiquated 4 sp automatic trans? GM simply couldn't afford to develop in time their 6 sp auto. A lot of the low cost Japanese cars alread have at least a 5 sp and some have 6 sp auto trans. We're paying too much to the workers and it's taking away from research and development.
It's a losing battle!

— BMW995 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 12:03:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

American car cheap and suck. German car expansive and suck.Anyway guess which country made the most money in 2006. America rank#1 with 10 trillions.Japan #2 with 4 trillions. German #3 with three trillions. so do the maths and tell me who is the King. who is the #1?

— hieneken (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 12:49:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Japan if you "percapita" math

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 7:42:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

who cares? the cars are cheap and boring.

— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 8:08:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

You care and everybody cares, that's why this page is so long.....

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 9:25:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Japanese automakers are more efficient than US... Simply stated, and thats why they are leading, and will continue to lead.

Though their cars are not the best at everything, they are great at doing what they have to do... A lot better than American cars, thats for sure.

PS. I am a German Car Fan, so its not bias.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2007 11:32:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think at the end of the day we are talking about two different products for different demographics...the Japanese are indeed the best at producing an applicance for the non enthusiast (camry, avalon, ES, accord, etc), which is the biggest market by far..they sell to a price point first, image, magic feel, badge is not important as long as the features are there and the price is very competitive, very little risk in design, just safe. I think the Walmart example is valid..the Euro and Americans produce more of an image and design first which tends to appeal to the car person (emotion)...(think Dodge Charger, the Vette, Jeep, SL, S class, GTI, A8) and lots of models, almost too many to be profitable..unfortunatly with higher design and many models (americans) you don't sell as many units..for me I would rather go for a bit of style, flavor and be willing to give up the all so important..wait for it...reliability..that the Japanese have perfected..now if they could only design something that didnt just put me to sleep..the Lexus ES is a fine example of what Japanese design produces and defines the brand and corporate culture...

— markusck (View Profile)

Posted on 7/5/2007 9:30:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1