Comments on: The Toyota Corolla Reigns in Japan. For Now…

By: Samir Syed

Samir Syed — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:08:18 +0000

There are highways in Japan and Europe as well.

Ever do 3 miles of highway in a Renault Twingo?

By: Adamatari

Adamatari — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:32:39 +0000

One of the things that annoys me to no end about the current situation in America is that those kei cars are what we need if we are serious about reducing fuel consumption – those and European very small cars. Yet nobody talks about them much. Yeah, saftey is an issue, but if they were the most common type of car then maybe it wouldn’t be so much.

On the other hand, I can see why Americans would have trouble with them – we have lots of highway, after all. Often daily commuting involves stretches on the highway as well. Still, if Europeans and Japanese use them primarily, it makes me wonder if we REALLY have to have larger cars. There are highways in Japan and Europe as well.

I’m not saying ban larger cars. I just think that if we’re serious we need to talk about smaller cars.

Plus I want a Suzuki Cappucino.

By: andyinsdca

andyinsdca — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:24:49 +0000

Also, Japanese microcars are pretty much deathtraps. All of the reliability of a Toyota or Honda with all of the safety of an MGB.

By: BabyM

BabyM — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:35:42 +0000

“Minicars” (Kei) in Japan are a separate legal category of vehicle. They have to be below a maximum size, have engines below a certain displacement, wear different license plates, and are exempt from certain ownership restrictions.

By: Juniper

Juniper — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:26:42 +0000

Shermin
I agree. And since the “truck” has gone mainstream they are ranked as the top selling “vehicles”. Most top 10 or 20 seller charts will show this. It just appears Toyota is pulling a GM in their home market.

By: Ralph SS

Ralph SS — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:25:10 +0000

Two questions: 1) Is the Corolla called a Corolla in Japan? and 2)What’s wrong with me that I never, ever, want to see mainstream America running around in micro-cars? It just seems anti-American. Not that it’s good or bad, just the antithesis of everything that’s American in the car business. Hell, even the Japanese cars have grown considerably since coming here.

By: Sherman Lin

Sherman Lin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:37:22 +0000

Mini car I guess is as separate a category in Japan as is a truck is here otherwise the Ford 150 or Silverado would be the best selling car here.

I say bring on the minicars and sell them here.

By: Juniper

Juniper — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:26:32 +0000

I don’t understand the logic of having the best selling car only if you exclude the best selling segment “minicars” It sounds like Suzuki has the best selling car. Toyota has the best selling car in the japanese “bohemeth” category. Its like saying the Grand Marquii is the best selling car in the US.

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:25:35 +0000

I was under the impression that the JDM Corolla was a newer version that has yet to be released in the US.