Sales soaring overseas amidst slumping sales in the home market? Geesh that sounds eerily familiar ....
Toyota Opens Mall to Hike Japanese Sales
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- Shiny Toyotas are lined up outside the gleaming stores and restaurants at a new Japanese shopping mall. The automaker is trying to cope with a serious problem: Young people in Japan are rapidly losing interest in cars, sending auto sales to 27-year lows.
"We have to go where people congregate," said Yoichiro Ichimaru, a Toyota Motor Corp. senior managing director who oversees Japan sales. "We need to provide opportunities for people to come in contact with cars."
continue at the link
but the best part of the article
"We have to go where people congregate," said Yoichiro Ichimaru, a Toyota Motor Corp. senior managing director who oversees Japan sales. "We need to provide opportunities for people to come in contact with cars."
continue at the link
but the best part of the article
neither do I"We have absolutely no interest in Japanese cars.
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My guess would be there is no room to drive them.
Perhaps it is Toyota (and others) that have trouble attracting younger buyers because they have "old" designs?
Toyota already ran up against that issue in the US, that's why they established Scion. But Toyota can't exactly establish Scion there, as these cars are already sold there as Toyotas.
Despite the person being interviews saying they have no interest in Japanese cars, I don't believe the market for import cars in Japan is all that large.
Still, I don't see why Cadillac and Opel/Saturn and Corvette can't make an appearance in Japan. Certainly CTS and XLR at the very least. As well as cars like Corsa and Astra.
If GM took a page out of Cadillac's Chinese book, and established a dealership network that was "all American," and focused on those features -- American wine, cheeses, donuts, etc. -- there might be a niche somewhere in Japan that would find that attractive. However, that doesn't give Cadillac an excuse to sell shoddy product there. Only the best should be sold -- CTS, SLS, XLR.
Toyota already ran up against that issue in the US, that's why they established Scion. But Toyota can't exactly establish Scion there, as these cars are already sold there as Toyotas.
Despite the person being interviews saying they have no interest in Japanese cars, I don't believe the market for import cars in Japan is all that large.
Still, I don't see why Cadillac and Opel/Saturn and Corvette can't make an appearance in Japan. Certainly CTS and XLR at the very least. As well as cars like Corsa and Astra.
If GM took a page out of Cadillac's Chinese book, and established a dealership network that was "all American," and focused on those features -- American wine, cheeses, donuts, etc. -- there might be a niche somewhere in Japan that would find that attractive. However, that doesn't give Cadillac an excuse to sell shoddy product there. Only the best should be sold -- CTS, SLS, XLR.
In places like Japan or London, its not worth driving. The public transportation is good enough, and the huge parking fees associated with owning a car really destroys the appeal of owning one. And you missed this part of the article:
Japan has excellent public transportation, including trains and subways. Parking is often expensive, with many apartment buildings charging $100 per month. Many young people aren't even bothering to get a driver's license, which is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor in Japan. And traffic can be congested.
Still, I don't see why Cadillac and Opel/Saturn and Corvette can't make an appearance in Japan. Certainly CTS and XLR at the very least. As well as cars like Corsa and Astra.
If GM took a page out of Cadillac's Chinese book, and established a dealership network that was "all American," and focused on those features -- American wine, cheeses, donuts, etc. -- there might be a niche somewhere in Japan that would find that attractive. However, that doesn't give Cadillac an excuse to sell shoddy product there. Only the best should be sold -- CTS, SLS, XLR.
Alright, lets jump into a small and shrinking market with all the niche products. That sounds like a wonderful idea! I really think the best thing to do is jut help Suzuki get sales in Japan.
Yeah, in London it's faster to bike, followed by powerboat on the Thames, public transport, then car. It was on TopGear last night.In places like Japan or London, its not worth driving. The public transportation is good enough, and the huge parking fees associated with owning a car really destroys the appeal of owning one. And you missed this part of the article:
Not to mention an exchange rate that will never be in your favor, no matter how low the dollar sinks.Alright, lets jump into a small and shrinking market with all the niche products. That sounds like a wonderful idea! I really think the best thing to do is jut help Suzuki get sales in Japan.
Still, I don't see why Cadillac and Opel/Saturn and Corvette can't make an appearance in Japan. Certainly CTS and XLR at the very least. As well as cars like Corsa and Astra.
The Corvette is sold in Japan, the distributor had enough to last for an estimated 8 months, they sold them all within 3 weeks of their arival, last I heard, and thats with LHD.
I think the Cadillac is also sold in Japan, the problem is, with both, is that they are imports, and unlike the US, the Japanese a very protective of their home market, so modestly priced cars in the US become very expensive cars, and expensive cars become insanely expensive cars after all the import duties.
It doesn't stop BMW and Mercedes form being dominant in the luxury field there.The Corvette is sold in Japan, the distributor had enough to last for an estimated 8 months, they sold them all within 3 weeks of their arival, last I heard, and thats with LHD.
I think the Cadillac is also sold in Japan, the problem is, with both, is that they are imports, and unlike the US, the Japanese a very protective of their home market, so modestly priced cars in the US become very expensive cars, and expensive cars become insanely expensive cars after all the import duties.
Well, if you read the article...Alright, lets jump into a small and shrinking market with all the niche products. That sounds like a wonderful idea! I really think the best thing to do is jut help Suzuki get sales in Japan.
If it's true that the Japanese people don't buy Japanese cars, then why not sell a non-Japanese car in Japan?
The market shrinkage may be due to uninteresting cars from Japanese automakers, while imports are growing.
Therefore, it would make sense to try out some high quality cars in Japan -- ones that have a non-Japanese look.
All I'm saying is that if there is a trend in the Japanese market in that the Japanese people are becoming bored with Japanese cars, then that is an opportunity for import car marques to enter Japan and take marketshare.The Corvette is sold in Japan, the distributor had enough to last for an estimated 8 months, they sold them all within 3 weeks of their arival, last I heard, and thats with LHD.
I think the Cadillac is also sold in Japan, the problem is, with both, is that they are imports, and unlike the US, the Japanese a very protective of their home market, so modestly priced cars in the US become very expensive cars, and expensive cars become insanely expensive cars after all the import duties.
I understand that there is a market, and it should be something that GM should really look into.
GM's website list Corvette, Cadillac, Hummer, Saab in Japan.
No Chevrolet, just Corvette. I would export RHD versions of the middle east Luminas straight from Australia to Japan. I think that a Kappa based car like the turbo Solstice or Sky could do well in Japan.
I have often said that GM North America does have this "world is flat" out look since they engineer very few cars that are both LHD and RHD from the get go. One of the goals of a new global GM is that every platform should be engineered from the start to be both LHD and RHD compatible.
If that were already true both Holden and Vauxhall could be selling a RHD Lambda and Kappa car, and GM NA could use some it's extra production capacity for export, allowing GM to take advantage of the low dollar's effect on export prices.
http://www.cadillac.co.jp/
GM's website list Corvette, Cadillac, Hummer, Saab in Japan.
No Chevrolet, just Corvette. I would export RHD versions of the middle east Luminas straight from Australia to Japan. I think that a Kappa based car like the turbo Solstice or Sky could do well in Japan.
I have often said that GM North America does have this "world is flat" out look since they engineer very few cars that are both LHD and RHD from the get go. One of the goals of a new global GM is that every platform should be engineered from the start to be both LHD and RHD compatible.
If that were already true both Holden and Vauxhall could be selling a RHD Lambda and Kappa car, and GM NA could use some it's extra production capacity for export, allowing GM to take advantage of the low dollar's effect on export prices.
http://www.cadillac.co.jp/
Good...this means alot less people in the future will be using gas I could be using...have fun on yer Huffey...
No interest in Japanese cars? In Japan? This is a revolution! Awesome!
So, Toyota, How does it feel? GM, Ford, and Chrysler have been dealing with this for decades.
So, Toyota, How does it feel? GM, Ford, and Chrysler have been dealing with this for decades.
Interesting, Toyota's having a real tough time in their home market. GM has an easier time stabilizing sales in the US given it's vast size and scope then Toyota does in Japan. Wonder if this will drag them down in terms of global sales tallies significantly going forward....
Toyota opens mall to woo Japanese buyers
Carmaker hopes center will revive flagging sales
Yuri Kageyama / Associated Press
YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Shiny Toyotas are lined up outside the gleaming stores and restaurants at a new Japanese shopping mall. The automaker is trying to cope with a serious problem: Young people in Japan are rapidly losing interest in cars, sending auto sales to 27-year lows.
"We have to go where people congregate," said Yoichiro Ichimaru, a Toyota Motor Corp. senior managing director who oversees Japan sales. "We need to provide opportunities for people to come in contact with cars."
The sprawling indoor mall has shopping carts that look like cars, a Toyota robot that plays a trumpet solos and lots of space devoted to Toyota dealerships amid 220 stores and restaurants.
The Tressa mall, inspired by the French word for braiding "tressage" and located southwest of Tokyo in Yokohama, was developed and built and is being run by Toyota.
It was partly opened in December. Reporters got a preview Tuesday, ahead of its formal opening Thursday.
The mall's mission is to woo younger Japanese, who Ichimaru said prefer to spend their money on mobile phone bills and other gadgets than on cars.
Sales of new autos in Japan are expected to drop to a 27-year-low of 5.3 million for the fiscal year starting next month, down 0.6 percent, as demand is battered by soaring gas prices and sluggish wage growth, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Continued at: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803260339
Carmaker hopes center will revive flagging sales
Yuri Kageyama / Associated Press
YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Shiny Toyotas are lined up outside the gleaming stores and restaurants at a new Japanese shopping mall. The automaker is trying to cope with a serious problem: Young people in Japan are rapidly losing interest in cars, sending auto sales to 27-year lows.
"We have to go where people congregate," said Yoichiro Ichimaru, a Toyota Motor Corp. senior managing director who oversees Japan sales. "We need to provide opportunities for people to come in contact with cars."
The sprawling indoor mall has shopping carts that look like cars, a Toyota robot that plays a trumpet solos and lots of space devoted to Toyota dealerships amid 220 stores and restaurants.
The Tressa mall, inspired by the French word for braiding "tressage" and located southwest of Tokyo in Yokohama, was developed and built and is being run by Toyota.
It was partly opened in December. Reporters got a preview Tuesday, ahead of its formal opening Thursday.
The mall's mission is to woo younger Japanese, who Ichimaru said prefer to spend their money on mobile phone bills and other gadgets than on cars.
Sales of new autos in Japan are expected to drop to a 27-year-low of 5.3 million for the fiscal year starting next month, down 0.6 percent, as demand is battered by soaring gas prices and sluggish wage growth, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Continued at: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803260339
Re: Toyota opens mall to woo Japanese buyers
Some people are playing their Wii's and PS3's too much to buy cars.
Some people are playing their Wii's and PS3's too much to buy cars.
um... I might be wrong but japan, let alone asia has some of the highest car prices in the world. governments in most countries tax a certain car based on displacement and size along with dealing w/ customs if its imported. its not uncommon to see a S300 benz or anything lesser than that. the only time I think GM can do well is the k-car segment.
awesome episode.Yeah, in London it's faster to bike, followed by powerboat on the Thames, public transport, then car. It was on TopGear last night.
That's actually really interesting. I think the idea of having more GM cars in Japan is a good idea. Plus the idea of putting cars at a shopping mall for all the young people to see is stupid. It's like a 50 year old in a short skirt.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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