| IntroductionThere has never been a better time | | | | sellers, trying to schedule meetings and test |
| to import a used car from Japan and save big | | | | drives and traveling around town to inspect |
| dollars. Exports from Japan have been steadily | | | | vehicles which are often not as advertised. |
| increasing for the last three years as more and | | | | .Reason #13: Abundance of Japan-based used car |
| more dealers, wholesalers and private buyers | | | | exporters and specialists: Since Japan represents |
| around the world realize this great | | | | the second largest vehicle manufacturing country |
| opportunity.Reason #1: Wide product range: Due | | | | in the world and the number of exports from |
| to the very competitive domestic Japanese car | | | | Japan are growing every year there are many |
| market, there are an abundance of models and | | | | exporters and specialists who can assist you in |
| manufacturers in Japan manufacturers including | | | | sourcing and exporting your car. Due to the |
| Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Fuji | | | | number of people vying for your business you |
| Heavy Industries (Subaru), Suzuki and | | | | can choose an exporter that you like and gain |
| Daihatsu.Reason #2: K-class Mini Cars: This is a | | | | very competitive pricing as well.Reason #14: |
| new type of car which has been created in Japan | | | | Japanese safety regulations: The Japanese |
| to address Environmental concerns, demand for | | | | roadworthy testing system is a positive for two |
| fuel efficiency and the general the lack of space | | | | reasons: (1) All Japanese vehicles are subjected to |
| on Japanese roads. All K-class vehicles meet a | | | | exhaustive bi-annual testing and mechanical checks |
| specification which restricts the weight, engine | | | | to ensure they are well maintained and (2) gaining |
| displacement (maximum of 660cc) and exterior | | | | roadworthy (called Shaken in Japan) usually costs |
| dimensions. K cars have excellent cost | | | | a lot, artificially inflating the ongoing running costs |
| performance are in growing demand around the | | | | year by year as the car gets older. The latter is |
| world.Reason #3: Excellent Japanese road | | | | one of the primary reasons Japanese drivers |
| conditions: Despite the lack of space, Japanese | | | | trade up to a new car so quickly and so |
| roads are extremely well maintained meaning | | | | often.Reason #15: Increasing shipping capacity and |
| normal wear and tear which might be attributed | | | | shipment options: Many vehicle transportation |
| to poor road conditions in other countries is not a | | | | companies are increasing their capacity to freight |
| problem in Japan.Reason #4: Average vehicle age: | | | | both new and used vehicles from Japan due to |
| The average age of all vehicles on Japanese | | | | growth in this market. For individuals wishing to |
| roads is almost sure to be lower than most other | | | | purchase 2-4 cars at a time shipment by |
| countries. It is unusual to see cars older than 15 | | | | container is also an option which may be faster, |
| years on the roads at all. The Japan Automotive | | | | more secure and possibly cheaper depending upon |
| Manufacturers Association (JAMA) reports | | | | the destination port.Reason #16: Availability of |
| average vehicle age to be approximately 5.8 | | | | objective information: On the internet today there |
| years.Reason #5: Higher model specifications: Due | | | | are many automotive review sites dedicated to |
| to an abundance of models from each | | | | the provision of accurate, timely and objective |
| manufacturer and the Japanese penchant for new | | | | data for all types of Japanese cars. It is no longer |
| electronic and other gadgetry, the specifications | | | | necessary for individual buyers to rely on |
| of a Japanese vehicle produced for the domestic | | | | salespeople or manufacturer marketing literature |
| market will usually be much higher than | | | | to gain an accurate understanding of |
| foreign-produced equivalents. This means you can | | | | specifications, prices and vehicle conditions prior to |
| buy a Japanese export model with all the features | | | | purchase.Reason #17: Auction assessments and |
| you like for the same price as a base model | | | | evaluations: Every auto auction house in Japan |
| bought domestically.Reason #6: Low mileage: Most | | | | performs mechanical tests and assessments by |
| Japanese live in cities which lack space and are | | | | trained technicians prior to entry of the vehicle at |
| very dense in terms of population. Since | | | | auction. These evaluations are very detailed and |
| everything necessary to live a comfortable life is | | | | accurate and include all pertinent information along |
| within close reach for the typical Japanese, | | | | with grading for the exterior and interior of the |
| domestic drivers average mileage is typically less | | | | vehicle.Reason #18: Flexible payment terms: While |
| than half that of other countries. The Japanese | | | | most exporters prefer to be paid via telegraphic |
| Motor Vehicle Inspection Registration Association | | | | transfer, credit card/paypal payments and |
| reports average mileage for Japanese domestic | | | | payments via letter of credit are becoming more |
| drivers to be around 9,000km annually. American | | | | common. Most exporters are open to alternative |
| drivers, on the other hand, drive and average of | | | | payment methods and the foreign buyer may |
| 19,000 kms each year.Reason #7: Relative cost: | | | | also consider escrow services if hesitant about |
| Even after taking into account costs such as | | | | sending large sums of money abroad for the first |
| freight and local compliance it is almost always | | | | time.Reason #19: No need to speak Japanese: Due |
| cheaper to import a used car from Japan than to | | | | to the huge market which has developed in used |
| buy an equivalent used car locally. There are | | | | Japanese car exports there are many people |
| several reasons for Japanese exports being so | | | | from many different nations involved in this |
| cheap, primary amongst them is the mandatory | | | | business. Buyers from Pakistan can communicate |
| Japanese vehicle safety inspections which | | | | with exporters in Urdu. Buyers from Russia can |
| effectively increase the cost of ownership as the | | | | speak in local dialects with Japanese exporters in |
| vehicle ages.Reason #8: Excellent resale value: | | | | Northern states, where Russian speakers are |
| Japanese cars, particularly Toyota and Lexus, | | | | common. Almost every Japan-based exporter |
| generally hold much more of their value over the | | | | speaks English too. You do not need to worry |
| lifetime of the product than foreign counterparts | | | | about communication problems.Reason #20: |
| such as Ford and GM.Reason #9: Highly efficient | | | | Availability of parts: While Japanese domestic |
| automated auction systems: Instead of purchasing | | | | models are usually higher spec than their |
| from private sellers or through local used car | | | | foreign-manufactured equivalents the fact that so |
| dealers whose reputation and business practices | | | | many Japanese manufacturing plants exist around |
| may be circumspect, used Japanese cars may be | | | | the world mean that common parts for popular |
| purchased at wholesale prices through very | | | | vehicles are likely to be available cheaply in local |
| efficient auction houses run by Toyota, Nissan and | | | | markets. In the event that a part is not available |
| other reputable companies. Each vehicle placed | | | | domestically, there are many parts specialists who |
| into an auction is photographed, inspected and | | | | can help in locating a required part.Reason #21: |
| graded and this information is useful, accurate and | | | | Trucks, buses ands machinery also available: While |
| available to potential buyers.Reason #10: No need | | | | used cars are currently the most popular |
| to deal with sleazy local used car salesmen: It is | | | | automotive export, sourcing of buses, trucks and |
| an unfortunate fact that the used car industry | | | | machinery is also becoming more common. |
| around the world has the reputation of being filled | | | | Japanese trucks are mostly purpose-built, while |
| with unsavory types who deceive and lie in order | | | | those manufactured in other countries are not. |
| to gouge their customers on every deal. Whether | | | | Thus it is possible to obtain the perfect truck for |
| this is true or not, buying a Japanese export car | | | | the job at hand by exporting it from Japan. Once |
| removes the need to deal with these individuals at | | | | again, the quality and value of these items |
| all.Reason #11: Japanese cultural habit of always | | | | exceeds what could normally be attained |
| buying new: Typical Japanese drivers are loathe to | | | | locally.ConclusionBuying a new or used car from |
| buy a car that someone else has used, regardless | | | | Japan is a great way to get your dream car and |
| of the value proposition inherent in doing so. Thus | | | | save money doing it. Although it may not be the |
| Japanese customarily purchase new cars every | | | | quickest way to buy, more and more satsifed |
| 5-7 years, creating a pool of high quality, low | | | | buyers are taking advantage of this great |
| mileage, high-spec used cars ready for resale | | | | opportunity. Since the purchase of a car is usually |
| around the world.Reason #12: No need to waste | | | | a major decision and an expensive proposition, |
| time and money with private sellers: It is well | | | | exporting your next car from Japan is definately |
| know that buying a used car from a private seller | | | | worthy of consideration.Keith Gottliebsen resides |
| is sometimes a good way to find a bargain, but | | | | in Japan and maintains a website to assist buyers |
| this kind of purchase may be quite risky for a | | | | in exporting new and used Japanese cars & |
| buyer who is not mechanically inclined. It can also | | | | trucks ( to countries around the world. |
| be very time consuming dealing with private | | | | |