Automotive industry in Japan

Japan is the world's second largest automobile manufacturer and exporter (next to the United States), and is home to six of the world's 10 largest automobile manufacturers. The 11 members of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), ranked by size, are:

• Toyota Motor Corporation
• Nissan Motors (formerly Datsun)
• Honda
• Mitsubishi Motors
• Suzuki
• Mazda
• Daihatsu Motor Company
• Hino Motors
• Subaru
• Isuzu
• Mitsuoka

Together, they command wide market share in the United States, Europe, and many of the developing countries.

History

During the Korean War (1950-1953) the United States government ordered a large number of army trucks from Japanese automobile manufacturers. This was for two reasons: Japan was geographically close, and it was still under United States occupation until 1952. This stimulated the growth of Japan's auto industry, and the rapid increase in domestic demand and expansion into foreign markets in the 1970s boosted the growth even further.

Automobile production in Japan continued to grow rapidly after the 1970s. Japan was the largest car producer in the world in 2000. It has decreased slightly in recent years, mainly due to two reasons: new competition from China and India, and a shift in the focus of the Japanese government.

Japanese cars are famous for their high quality and reasonable price. They are well equipped with user-friendly amenities, and priced competitively with vehicles manufactured in Western Europe and the United States.

Sources

• 'Car Wars: The Untold Story' (1984) by Robert Sobel Publisher: E P Dutton; ISBN 0-525-24289-9.