US Demand For Japanese Cars Faltering With No Recovery In Sight

Japan’s exports fell in May at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis as U.S.-bound car shipments plunged, bolstering expectations for a deeper contraction in the world’s third-largest economy this quarter.

Weak global appetite for cars and slowing business spending could drag on Japan’s export-led economy, as China-bound trade remains weak, dashing hopes mainland demand could offset the weakness seen in other major trading partners.
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PUGPROUD - 6/17/2020 11:43:40 AM

+1 Boost

Not to mention dent Korean cars making in Japanese market share.

Agent009 - 6/17/2020 2:27:34 PM

+2 Boost

That is a valid point, the Korean cars aren't just for laughing at anymore

atc98092 - 6/17/2020 3:41:39 PM

+3 Boost

Yep. I've been driving a Kia for just over a year. Two years ago I would have laughed if you said I'd ever drive a Kia. So far, I'm happy enough that I may just upgrade to the Niro EV when my lease is up, depending on what else in on the market by then.

mre30 - 6/17/2020 3:09:51 PM

0 Boost

Some of the Toyota products are downright crummy at this point. Nissans are a bit more posh but are unreliable.

"Bullet-proof Toyota Reliability" (perhaps less true at this point) goodwill will only go so far. The new RAV-4, for example, is ugly and looks bargain basement with among the cheapest plastics on offer.

Kia/Hyundai is slowly winning the war.

mini22 - 6/17/2020 4:48:09 PM

+3 Boost

It shows that the Koreans are on the move with more aggressive products as well as pricing. The handling and ride gap between Hyundai/Kia and Toyota is virtually gone. Their products are more exiting. The Japs need to sharpen up their game a bit. There needs to be better engine choices for their lower rung models

Truthy - 6/19/2020 2:16:38 PM

+1 Boost

Nissan has been putting out crap for years, Toyota has become conservative and Hondas unattractive. With most manufacturers closing the gap on reliability (sorry FCA and Land Rover) it is no longer as big a deciding factor.
Recently sitting in an ES 350 and a G70 I was struck by how much better the interior of the G70, especially the attention to detail. The window switches on the Lexus at plain black plastic. No lettering, no metal accents, nothing. It is as though they were lifted from, well, the RAV4.