Enough is Enough? Ford Executive Demands An End To Japan's Automotive Trade Barriers

Japan's decision to exclude foreign automakers from its cash-for-clunkers program is part of a larger pattern of discouraging imports that the United States cannot afford to tolerate anymore, a Ford Motor Co executive said in an interview.

"This is about frankly a bigger issue than the Japanese scrappage program. This is about them starting to deliver the kind of market opportunities that their companies have taken advantage around the world for so long," said Stephen Biegun, Ford vice president for international governmental affairs.

Ford, General Motors Corp and Chrysler sent a letter to U.S. trade officials last week complaining about conditions in Japan's fleet renewal program they say bar U.S. automakers from participating, even though Japanese automakers Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co got a big share of the U.S. cash-for-clunkers program.

"Despite being the world's largest exporter of vehicles, with over 2.1 million exported to the U.S. alone last year, Japan remains the most closed auto market in the industrialized world, with less than 5 percent import participation," the American Automotive Policy Council said.

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ThierryHenry14 - 12/15/2009 5:06:52 PM

+1 Boost

being a culture that sees themselves as superior to others, so they mainly buy Japanese products is ingrained into their culture, so you cannot change that.

its like Diageo complaining to the UK Gov't saying that Saudi Arabia has unfair trade practices because they do not allow their products into the kingdom...

LexSucks - 12/15/2009 12:05:02 PM

-1 Boost

All of the problems that the planet is experiencing is Obama's fault.

Agent009 - 12/15/2009 12:18:23 PM

-7 Boost

Hmmm.. I wouldn't go quite that far, but MOST might be better

0to60 - 12/15/2009 12:56:59 PM

+10 Boost

009, you are brain dead.

delan - 12/15/2009 10:42:04 PM

+4 Boost

I would expect a more rational and thought out response from an Agent.

Agent009 - 12/16/2009 8:34:44 AM

-1 Boost

- delan: lighten up a bit you SHOULD be able to tell when I am prodding someone.

LexSucks - 12/16/2009 9:26:14 AM

0 Boost

No you weren't. Who do you think that you're fooling?

Yonder7 - 12/15/2009 12:20:07 PM

-1 Boost

I think that the only way to success in that market is ofering high quality products and apply to them the same restrictions that they are rising to us. IF they want to sale in our soil...then they will have to allow us to sell in their soil in the same conditions that we allow in US. Hyundai is that car that I do not like but it is as good as any Japo and the same goes to Samsung and Nokia. So for me that means protectionist policy from Japan...it has to end.

SHOWTIME - 12/15/2009 2:53:21 PM

+2 Boost

LOL

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 2:51:08 AM

+1 Boost

lol!

fatandsassy - 12/15/2009 1:22:17 PM

+3 Boost

The UAW and Unfair trade pratices are what are hurting the American Car companies

Joe_Limon - 12/18/2009 4:39:44 AM

+1 Boost

1UAW, why did it take parties and incentives to improve a 1 in 3 people missing rate? I know plenty of non union shops that don't require bribing their employees to come in to work and they all have near perfect attendance, after all their jobs are on the line.

fourmccs - 12/15/2009 2:16:37 PM

+3 Boost

First, this is what the Japanese have been doing for as long as I can remember. Yes I can remember a long time. Second why would any of you figure that Ford would offer any of their American model cars there? They are in fact a "global" company with many very good European model cars that would do well and are already sold in Japan.

Need4Speed - 12/15/2009 2:42:15 PM

+2 Boost

Hey what can I say...as long as you can pay Democrats and Republicans to do your bidding...you can walk all over this country as long as your pockets are deep enough!

ThierryHenry14 - 12/15/2009 5:03:25 PM

+2 Boost

OK, so Japan puts out a policy that states in order to sell your cars in Japan, you need to get 35.5 mpg or better, unless its a specialty/low production car. US Auto companies are unable to meet that standard and so they are screaming protectionism?

I'll be the first to tell you I know very little about the Japanese Auto Market, and there probably are more stipulations, but it seems like common sense. If you want to compete, then make your car meet the requirements...

fourmccs - 12/15/2009 5:37:38 PM

+2 Boost

Thierry It isn't a matter of not being able to compete. It is a matter of not letting them compete. It the government won't allow them to participate then how can they?

ThierryHenry14 - 12/15/2009 8:34:23 PM

+2 Boost

This is not meant to go against your comments, but what are the stipulations of the Japanese Scrapping program that excludes US Automakers? I am actually curious to know myself...

ThierryHenry14 - 12/15/2009 8:40:18 PM

+1 Boost

huu,
I am curious to know if you know what the stips for the Japanese Cash for Clunker program are?

I have looked online and all the sites either uses the terms: "Virtually excludes", "effectively excludes", "basically excludes", etc... When you add words in front of excludes and not just use the word excludes, that means US made cars are included, if they can meet the stips.

Brembo - 12/15/2009 7:50:46 PM

+2 Boost

Wait! I thought we didn't want government to get involved in capitalism.

OHHH! Only when it's an inconvenient to us. I get it.

XYZZ - 12/15/2009 7:52:27 PM

+1 Boost

lol!

ThierryHenry14 - 12/15/2009 8:35:59 PM

0 Boost

hahaha...

truckman - 12/15/2009 8:05:26 PM

+1 Boost

The barriers have to go.

nguyenvuminh - 12/15/2009 8:56:01 PM

+1 Boost

Philosophically, this is another technical barrier in the Japanese market. Practically speaking, cars from US car companies were not competitive anyway (be it due to fuel inefficiency or outright market protectionism) so number wise, including cars from US car companies wouldn't be material. South Korea is even worse in terms of market protectionism.

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 2:50:20 AM

+1 Boost

last time japan helped u.s. cars compete more effectively, toyota re-badged some chevy cavaliers (?) as toyotas. imagine the BLOW to toyota's rep when they performed as typical gm junk!

they won't make that mistake again. all imported cars there have to sell on their own merits. and euro cars do well there. must say something about the desireability of detroit iron.

TexLandRover - 12/15/2009 9:12:02 PM

0 Boost

It's time for our government to really stand up to this completely unbalanced trade practice. There is a 'hidden agenda' here believe me. It goes way back to allowing both Japan and South Korean economies to develop and become viable, And also to bribe them to allow us to keep US military forces in their countries, but the time has longed since passed to keep this protectionism in place. . Status Quo has got to GO!

delan - 12/15/2009 10:46:48 PM

+2 Boost

eh? So how do you explain Germany, a country we occupied after WWII. Opel, Ford and Chrysler sell there....no?

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 3:04:15 AM

0 Boost

a goodly proportion of u.s. cars in germany are owned by u.s. military personnel. germans KNOW quality. (and have even acknowledged japanese superiority in reliability.)

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 3:08:37 AM

0 Boost

US auto factories in europe build cars for the EURO MARKET. they know better than to build detroit designs and trying to flog them to europeans.

fourmccs - 12/15/2009 10:50:17 PM

0 Boost

Thierry As far as I know the stipulation is that they cannot "trade" for anything except a Japanese auto. I doesn't have anything to do with the car technology or mileage.

Agent009 - 12/16/2009 8:37:23 AM

-1 Boost

I believe you are correct, but the deck is stacked where ZERO American cars qualify. Therefore is can be considered discriminatory.

Sort of like saying only certain people can sit at the front of the bus, everyone else sits in the back.

fourmccs - 12/16/2009 1:52:59 PM

-2 Boost

009 I absolutely agree with you. They didn't even bother stacking the deck they just removed the cards they don't want you to play with. Invisible, If the only qualification was 35 mpg then there are plenty of fords, and other manufacturers that would "qualify" but none of these cars are available either. This is nothing but extreme protectionism.

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 2:59:44 AM

0 Boost

today, japan's Yen is more costly in dollar terms than it's been in some 20 years.

which means u.s. goods are cheaper than ever there. the "effective" shut out is due to u.s. NOT HAVING 35.5 mpg cars that 1) have passed japan's safety and emissions standards (higher there than here, and higher than europe), 2) mfgrs. who have bothered to target japanese market (R-hand drive; not overly wide for their more cramped conditions, etc.), 3) just NOT COMPETITIVE.

fourmccs - 12/16/2009 1:55:06 PM

0 Boost

Yes, Yes and Yes!!

XYZZ - 12/18/2009 4:27:44 AM

+1 Boost

iuaw:

"xyzz.... The Chevys designed for the US market beat out the Honda and Toyota US markets Cars easily..."

oh REALLY? can you be specific on which models?
the ONE AREA where chevy most certainly beats the pants of honda and toyota, are in CR's "Used cars to Avoid" lists.


"the people that says America can't compete have no clue because they follow what everyone else is doing like sheep."

you could as well that all f-150 buyers have no clue because they follow what everyone else is doing like sheep." some do, some don't.

and every year, more and more non sheep SMART buyers switch to tundras and tacomas, which are FAR MORE reliable, esp. in 4wd models.

if detroit is so great, howcum they can hardly make ANY 4wd or awd vehicles that are actually average; most dwell in the WORSE than average cellar in reliability. seems ONLY TOYOTA can make average and ABOVE average 4wd/awd. despite shorter experience.

XYZZ - 12/16/2009 7:41:09 AM

0 Boost

on the original thread on this subject, it's pointed out that 43 of the models japan imports do qualify.

there has to be reasons there are ZERO models from detroit.

veyron1001 - 12/16/2009 4:49:43 PM

+2 Boost

The massive vehicles wont fit on Japans roads. 95% of what Ford makes is gone. The only car that would be possible is the Ford Fiesta and that wouldnt stand a chance.