Introduction
There has never been a better time to import a used car from Japan and save a lot of money. Japan’s exports have increased steadily over the past three years as more and more distributors, wholesalers and private buyers from around the world realize this great opportunity.
Reason #1: Wide Product Range: Due to the very competitive Japanese domestic car market, there are a large number of models and manufacturers in Japan, including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), Suzuki and Daihatsu. .
Reason #2: K-Class Mini Cars – This is a new type of car created in Japan to address environmental concerns, demand for fuel efficiency, and the general lack of space on Japanese roads. All K-class vehicles meet a specification that restricts weight, engine displacement (maximum 660cc), and exterior dimensions. K cars have excellent cost performance and are in increasing demand all over the world.
Reason #3: Excellent Japanese Road Conditions: Despite the lack of space, Japanese roads are extremely well-maintained, which means normal wear and tear that could be attributed to poor road conditions in other countries is not a problem. problem in Japan.
Reason #4: Average Vehicle Age: The average age of all vehicles on Japanese roads is almost certainly lower than in most other countries. It is unusual to see cars older than 15 years on the roads. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) reports that the average age of vehicles is about 5.8 years.
Reason #5: Higher Model Specs: Due to the abundance of models from each manufacturer and Japan’s penchant for new electronics and other gadgets, the specifications of a Japanese vehicle produced for the domestic market will generally be much higher. higher than those of foreign-produced equivalents. This means you can buy a Japanese export model with all the features you want for the same price as a domestically bought base model.
Reason #6: Low mileage: Most Japanese live in cities that are starved for space and very dense in terms of population. Since everything needed to live a comfortable life is within easy reach of the typical Japanese, the average mileage for domestic drivers is often less than half that of other countries. The Japan Motor Vehicle Inspection Registration Association reports that the average mileage for Japanese domestic drivers is around 9,000 km per year. American drivers, on the other hand, drive an average of 12,000 miles each year.
Reason #7: Relative Cost – Even after factoring in costs like freight and local fulfillment, it’s almost always cheaper to import a used car from Japan than to buy an equivalent used car locally. There are a number of reasons why Japanese exports are so cheap, chief among them being the mandatory safety inspections on Japanese vehicles which effectively increase the cost of ownership as the vehicle ages.
Reason #8: Excellent Resale Value: Japanese cars, particularly Toyotas and Lexus, generally have much more value over the life of the product than their foreign counterparts like Ford and GM.
Reason #9: Highly Efficient Automated Auction Systems – Rather than buying from private sellers or through local used car dealerships whose reputations and business practices can be cautious, used Japanese cars can be purchased at wholesale prices from through very efficient auction houses run by Toyota, Nissan and other renowned companies. Each vehicle placed at auction is photographed, inspected, and graded, and this information is useful, accurate, and readily available to potential buyers.
Reason #10: No Need To Deal With Shoddy Local Used Car Dealers – It’s an unfortunate fact that the used car industry worldwide has a reputation for being full of nasty guys who cheat and lie to cheat their customers on every deal. . Whether this is true or not, buying a Japanese export car eliminates the need to deal with these people.
Reason #11: Japanese Cultural Habit of Always Buying New – Typical Japanese drivers hate buying a car someone else has used, regardless of the inherent value proposition in doing so. Thus, the Japanese routinely buy new cars every 5 to 7 years, creating a pool of high-quality, low-mileage, high-spec used cars ready for resale around the world.
Reason #12: No need to waste time and money with private sellers: It’s well known that buying a used car from a private seller is sometimes a good way to find a bargain, but this type of purchase can be quite risky for a buyer. who is not mechanically inclined. It can also be time consuming dealing with private sellers, trying to schedule meetings and test drives, and traveling across town to inspect vehicles that are often not as advertised. .
Reason #13: Abundance of Japan-Based Used Car Specialists and Exporters: As Japan represents the second largest vehicle manufacturing country in the world and the amount of exports from Japan is growing every year, there are many exporters and specialists who they can help you obtain and export your car. Due to the number of people that live for your business, you can choose an exporter that you like and also get very competitive prices.
Reason #14: Japanese Safety Regulations: The Japanese roadworthiness testing system is good for two reasons: (1) all Japanese vehicles undergo extensive semi-annual tests and mechanical checks to ensure they are well maintained and ( 2) become roadworthy (called Shaken in Japan) usually cost a lot, artificially inflating running costs year after year as the car ages. The latter is one of the main reasons why Japanese drivers switch to a new car so quickly and so often.
Reason #15: Increase Shipping Capacity and Shipping Options – Many vehicle shipping companies are increasing their capacity to transport new and used vehicles from Japan due to the growth in this market. For people looking to buy 2-4 cars at a time, containerized shipping is also an option that can be faster, safer, and possibly cheaper depending on the port of destination.
Reason #16 – Availability of Factual Information – On the internet today there are many car review sites dedicated to providing accurate, timely and objective data for all types of Japanese cars. It is no longer necessary for individual buyers to rely on sellers or manufacturer marketing literature for an accurate understanding of vehicle specifications, pricing and condition prior to purchase.
Reason #17: Auction Appraisals and Appraisals: Every auto auction house in Japan performs mechanical tests and appraisals by trained technicians prior to the vehicle’s entry into auction. These appraisals are very detailed and accurate and include all relevant information along with the rating of the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
Reason #18: Flexible payment terms: While most exporters prefer to be paid by wire transfer, credit card/Paypal payments and letter of credit payments are becoming more common. Most exporters are open to alternative payment methods and the foreign buyer may also consider escrow services if hesitant to send large sums of money abroad for the first time.
Reason #19: No need to speak Japanese: Due to the huge market that has developed in Japanese used car exports, there are many people from many different nations involved in this business. Buyers from Pakistan can communicate with exporters in Urdu. Buyers from Russia can speak local dialects with Japanese exporters in northern states, where Russian speakers are common. Almost all exporters based in Japan also speak English. You don’t need to worry about communication problems.
Reason #20: Parts Availability: While Japanese domestic models often have higher specifications than their foreign-made counterparts, the fact that there are so many Japanese manufacturing plants around the world means that parts are likely common parts for popular vehicles are available at low prices in local markets. . In the event that a part is not available domestically, there are many parts specialists who can help locate the necessary part.
Reason #21: Trucks, Buses and Machinery Available Too – While used cars are currently the most popular automotive export, sourcing buses, trucks and machinery is also becoming more common. Japanese trucks are mostly purpose-built, while those made in other countries are not. Therefore, it is possible to get the perfect truck for the job at hand by exporting it from Japan. Once again, the quality and value of these items exceed what could normally be obtained locally.
Conclusion
Buying a new or used car from Japan is a great way to get the car of your dreams and save money doing it. Although it may not be the fastest way to buy, more and more satisfied buyers are taking advantage of this great opportunity. Since buying a car is often a big decision and an expensive proposition, it’s definitely worth considering exporting your next car from Japan.