Surprisingly good news out of Japan: Seemingly unimpeded by the Toyota-bashing, production of cars, trucks and buses in Japan increased 30.7 percent on year in January. Output is up for the third consecutive month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said today via The Nikkei [sub]. Vehicle output rose to 753,773 vehicles in January from 576,539 vehicles in the same month a year earlier.
Even better fared Japan’s exports of cars, trucks and buses: Exports shot up 45.6 percent from a year earlier in January, the first rise in 16 months, says The Nikkei [sub] in a separate report. “Shipments to key markets such as Asia, Europe and” – gasp – “North America increased in line with recovering auto demand.” To this embedded observer, it seems as if the jobs created by this brouhaha are in Japan.
Let’s see what the next month brings, especially in the U.S. Awfully little, predicts Reuters.
According to the wire service, J.D. Power sees an anemic SAAR of 9.9m units for February, up a tad from February last year when the sky was falling, but a steep loss compared to the 10.8m units in January. “While February sales have improved from a year ago, the pace of the recovery has hit a speed bump,” said Jeff Schuster, of J.D.Power.
Who’s to blame? Toyota of course. And the weather. Speculates Schuster: “This hiccup appears to be the result of consumers waiting out the Toyota recalls and winter storms impacting showroom traffic.” Both factors seem to bring down sales of all brands. While March usually brings the end of blizzard and the blooming of crocuses, the ghost-in-the-machine frenzy seems to be here to stay for a while.
Memo to Washington: Consumer confidence is an essential ingredient of sales. Fear, uncertainty and doubt just makes them stay home and sit out the … storm.
Tagged as Bertel Schmitt, Japan, production, recalls, Sales, Toyota, U.S.A.
9 Comments on “Frontline Dispatches: Japan Wins, America Loses...”
Back to TopLeave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You can also login using Facebook Connect.
Interesting trailer.
I’m not convinced that a “win” by the Japanese automakers is a bad thing for the US, nor do I think the opposite is true.
I’d even say that what’s good for Toyota is good for America.
What’s good for America is a fair and level trade environment around the world, and they sure are not getting that from anywhere in Asia,
but let’s all cheer for Toyota anyway.
As for trade barriers, Japan has zero import tax on cars. Japan has safety standards like everybody else. Japan gives dispensations to low volume importers which the USA would never give. It’s just that very few people want an American car here. It’s considered too big and too gauche. European cars do better in Japan. You never hear complaints from either side.
So who do you work for “here” in Japan?
Doesn’t it depend on the car? I thought I read somewhere that Ford usually sells all the allotted 200 Mustangs, I imagine the Corvette or Camaro are in high demand as well.
JohnAZ: If you are insinuating that I am on Toyota’s or any other Japanese automaker’s payroll, then tell them to send the goddamn check. I’ll take it.
Working for TTAC, you need to be “comfortable” as they say. My wife is a Tokyoite, and we are “here” if we aren’t elsewhere.
But some extra spending money is always appreciated, especially here in Tokyo, so please tell them to hurry up and pay.
Odd choice for an accompanying graphic, but interesting. Looks like HBO is going to do a Pacific War version of “Band of Brothers.” If so, it will be well-received. The bravery, sacrifice and shouldering of burdens both abroad and at home deserve to be remembered and honored.
You meant to say “Seemingly unimpeded by the Toyota-crashing” right?
Ex-Toyota buyers become Honda/Hyundai buyers