Japan is a very insular country and the people have a sense of loyalty to the country. When it comes to buying cars, they buy local brands. Only with premium brands does this alter. A friend of mine with knowledge of Japan said they do not like Korean products. Hyundai entered Japan in 2001, expecting to crack the market. They sold 32 cars in 2011 and are having to walk away from Japan altogether. This collective thinking, where individuality is frowned upon, is what makes Japan unusual to the western observer.
Looking at the foreign marque market, minus any Japanese branded cars that are imported, it is small compared to the total but does involve fairly big numbers for some.
1 VW 50,600 24.8% 2 Mercedes 33,200 16.3%
3 BMW 34,300 16.8%
4 Audi 21,200 10.4%
5 MINI 14,350 7.0%
6 Volvo 11,800 5.8%
7 Peugeot 6,100 3.0%
8 Fiat 6,000 2.9%
9 Chrysler 4,700 2.3%
10 Porsche 3,650 1.8%
11 Renault 3,100 1.5%
12 Citroen 3,100 1.5%
13 Ford 3,000 1.5%
14 GM US/K 2,000 1.0%
15 Alfa Romeo 1,900 0.9%
16 smart 1,200 0.6%
17 Jaguar 1,000 0.5%
18 Land Rover 900 0.4% 19 Ferrari 386 0.2%
20 Lotus 271 0.1%
21 Maserati 249 0.1%
22 Aston Martin 140 0.1%
23 Bentley 126 0.1%
24 Lamborghini 99 0.0%
25 Lancia 98 0.0%
26 Rolls Royce 80 0.0%
27 Saab 60 0.0%
28 MG Rover 63 0.0%
29 Hyundai 32 0.0%
30 Morgan 16 0.0%
31 Maybach 9 0.0%
Others 71
Total 203,800 13.1% increase.
Some Winners: Audi(+25.6%), MINI (+26.6%), Volvo (+51.8%) and Chrysler (+40.4%).
Losers Included: Jaguar (-10.4%), Ferrari (-21.7%), Lotus (-13.1%) and Hyundai
(-72.9%).
My guess: The Japanese economy is strong and sales should reflect that in 2012.
Source: JAIA
Pics: monstersandcritics

Car Sales Japan Imports: 2011

By Gavin Kalsi Wednesday, 26 July 2017

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Japan is a very insular country and the people have a sense of loyalty to the country. When it comes to buying cars, they buy local brands. Only with premium brands does this alter. A friend of mine with knowledge of Japan said they do not like Korean products. Hyundai entered Japan in 2001, expecting to crack the market. They sold 32 cars in 2011 and are having to walk away from Japan altogether. This collective thinking, where individuality is frowned upon, is what makes Japan unusual to the western observer.
Looking at the foreign marque market, minus any Japanese branded cars that are imported, it is small compared to the total but does involve fairly big numbers for some.
1 VW 50,600 24.8% 2 Mercedes 33,200 16.3%
3 BMW 34,300 16.8%
4 Audi 21,200 10.4%
5 MINI 14,350 7.0%
6 Volvo 11,800 5.8%
7 Peugeot 6,100 3.0%
8 Fiat 6,000 2.9%
9 Chrysler 4,700 2.3%
10 Porsche 3,650 1.8%
11 Renault 3,100 1.5%
12 Citroen 3,100 1.5%
13 Ford 3,000 1.5%
14 GM US/K 2,000 1.0%
15 Alfa Romeo 1,900 0.9%
16 smart 1,200 0.6%
17 Jaguar 1,000 0.5%
18 Land Rover 900 0.4% 19 Ferrari 386 0.2%
20 Lotus 271 0.1%
21 Maserati 249 0.1%
22 Aston Martin 140 0.1%
23 Bentley 126 0.1%
24 Lamborghini 99 0.0%
25 Lancia 98 0.0%
26 Rolls Royce 80 0.0%
27 Saab 60 0.0%
28 MG Rover 63 0.0%
29 Hyundai 32 0.0%
30 Morgan 16 0.0%
31 Maybach 9 0.0%
Others 71
Total 203,800 13.1% increase.
Some Winners: Audi(+25.6%), MINI (+26.6%), Volvo (+51.8%) and Chrysler (+40.4%).
Losers Included: Jaguar (-10.4%), Ferrari (-21.7%), Lotus (-13.1%) and Hyundai
(-72.9%).
My guess: The Japanese economy is strong and sales should reflect that in 2012.
Source: JAIA
Pics: monstersandcritics