Automotive industry in Japan: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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===1900s to 1950s=== |
===1900s to 1950s=== |
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in the 1900's THE JAPANESE MADE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THEY COULD BUILD CARS. FAIL! tbh. |
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The Japanese the start of the [[Shōwa period]], and assembled trucks and cars from imported parts. In 1929, 16,000 vehicles were imported into Japan, as opposed to only 1,000 produced by Japanese domestic companies. Cars and imported fuel were expensive for the ordinary Japanese citizen, so buses were popular. In 1923, there were about 100,000 automobiles in the country (around 65,000 cars, 35,000 trucks). The majority of these cars were [[taxicab|taxi]]s. |
The Japanese the start of the [[Shōwa period]], and assembled trucks and cars from imported parts. In 1929, 16,000 vehicles were imported into Japan, as opposed to only 1,000 produced by Japanese domestic companies. Cars and imported fuel were expensive for the ordinary Japanese citizen, so buses were popular. In 1923, there were about 100,000 automobiles in the country (around 65,000 cars, 35,000 trucks). The majority of these cars were [[taxicab|taxi]]s. |
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Revision as of 12:23, 21 May 2009
The Japanese automotive industry is one of the most prominent industries in the world. Japan is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer. It is home to a number of companies that produces cars, construction vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, engines, etc.
Japanese automotive manufacturers include Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, Mitsuoka, Hino and Daihatsu(Toyota), Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Komatsu. They are very well-recognized names throughout the world, with a well-established advanced and efficient industry that produces many high-quality vehicles for the global market.
History
1900s to 1950s
in the 1900's THE JAPANESE MADE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THEY COULD BUILD CARS. FAIL! tbh.
The Japanese the start of the Shōwa period, and assembled trucks and cars from imported parts. In 1929, 16,000 vehicles were imported into Japan, as opposed to only 1,000 produced by Japanese domestic companies. Cars and imported fuel were expensive for the ordinary Japanese citizen, so buses were popular. In 1923, there were about 100,000 automobiles in the country (around 65,000 cars, 35,000 trucks). The majority of these cars were taxis.
The zaibatsu were involved in joint ventures to produce and sell cars in Japan under license in the middle to late 1910s. The companies went about this by either designing their own trucks (the market for passenger vehicles in Japan at the time was small), or partnering with a European brand to produce and sell their cars in Japan under license. Such examples of this are the forerunner of Isuzu partnering with Wolseley Motor Company (UK), and the Mitsubishi Model A, which was based upon the Fiat Tipo 3. From 1935, increasingly restrictive import duties help protect new Japanese manufacturers, such as Nissan, Toyota, and Hino Motors. The demand for domestic trucks was greatly increased by the Japanese buildup to war before World War II.
However, outside of the major cities, the road system of the Empire of Japan was limited. The unfavorable topography of Japan favored the development of transport by sea, and motor transport had a low priority to the government as opposed to the railroad system.
During the Korean War (1950–1953), the United States government commissioned Japanese automobile manufacturers to produce army trucks. This was advantageous due to Japan's proximity to Korea, and the United States had close ties to Japan because the country was still under Allied occupation since the end of World War II. These army truck commissions led to enormous growth in Japan's auto industry, leading to the boom of Japanese cars during the 1960s.
From its beginnings, nearly all of the Japanese automakers were associated with zaibatsu, or later keiretsu. In the post-war period, these large companies had close ties with the government, who urged them to absorb all of the smaller car makers into large brands that could be marketed internationally. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. was a prime example, taking control of Prince Motor Company and many other smaller companies to form a large brand. Mitsubishi Motors was a part of a large keiretsu as well. However, one of the lone exceptions of the time was Honda. The company was formed as a tiny firm, and had (and still has) experienced no major takeovers or mergers.
During the massive expansion of many Japanese companies after WWII, many of the automakers sought to expand into other markets, mainly the U.S. In 1957, the first Japanese car to be imported to the United States was the Toyota Crown, followed by the 1958 Datsun 1000 (PL210).
1960s to today
During the 1960s, Japanese automakers launched a bevy of new kei cars in their domestic market. These tiny automobiles usually featured very small engines (from 360cc to 600cc) to keep taxes much lower than larger cars. The average person in Japan was now able to afford an automobile, which boosted sales dramatically and jumpstarted the auto industry toward becoming what it is today. The first of this new era, actually launched in 1958, was the Subaru 360. It was known as the "Lady Beetle", comparing its significance to the Volkswagen Beetle in Germany. Other significant models were the Suzuki Fronte, Mitsubishi 500, Mazda Carol, and the Honda N360.
Rapidly increasing domestic demand and the expansion of Japanese car companies into foreign markets in the 1970s further accelerated growth. Automobile production in Japan continued to increase rapidly after the 1970s, as Mitsubishi (as Dodge vehicles) and Honda began selling their vehicles in the US. Even more brands came to America and abroad during the 1970s, and by the 1980s, the Japanese manufacturers were gaining a major foothold in the US and world markets.
With Japanese manufacturers producing very affordable, reliable, and popular cars throughout the 1990s, Japan became the largest car producing nation in the world in 2000. However, its market share has decreased slightly in recent years, particularly due to old and new competition from South Korea, China and India and a shift in the focus of Japanese government policies. Nevertheless, Japan's car industry continues to flourish, its market share has risen again, and in the first quarter of 2008 Toyota surpassed American General Motors to become the world's largest car manufacturer.[1]
Timeline of the Japanese car industry
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1900-1970
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Since 1970
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Manufacturers in 2005
During 2005 Japan manufactured 10,799,299 motor vehicles. The 12 following makers have their factories in Japan.
Toyota
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | Buses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 000 000 + | 1 221 086 + | 83 885 + | 140 188 + | 6 053 + |
Nissan
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | Buses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 451 212 | 1 221 086 | 83 885 | 140 188 | 6 053 |
Honda
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 261 994 | 1 213 352 | 48 642 |
Suzuki
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 090 786 | 921 008 | 169 778 |
Mazda
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 864 929 | 806 064 | 56 434 | 2 431 |
Daihatsu
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | Buses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 724 509 | 539 206 | 172 107 | 13 196 |
Mitsubishi
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 664 900 | 555 540 | 105 335 | 4 025 |
Fuji-Subaru
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 469 497 | 385 953 | 83 544 |
Isuzu
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 253 | 53 049 | 154 028 | 3 176 |
Daimler-Chrysler
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | Bus and Coaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 513 | 24 635 | 96 824 | 8 054 |
UD Nissan Diesel
| Total motor vehicles | Passenger cars | Light commercial vehicles | Heavy trucks | Buses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 712 | 630 | 38 917 | 1 524 |
References
- ^ G.M. Says Toyota Has Lead in Global Sales Race - New York Times
- ^
Benjamin, Daniel K. (1999). "Voluntary Export Restraints on Automobiles". PERC Reports: Volume 17, No. 3. Property & Environment Research Center. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
In May 1981, with the American auto industry mired in recession, Japanese car makers agreed to limit exports of passenger cars to the United States. This "voluntary export restraint" (VER) program, initially supported by the Reagan administration, allowed only 1.68 million Japanese cars into the U.S. each year. The cap was raised to 1.85 million cars in 1984, and to 2.30 million in 1985, before the program was terminated in 1994
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Further reading
- Robert Sobel (1984). Car Wars: The Untold Story. E. P. Dutton. ISBN 0-525-24289-9.
