Japan Lobby Group Protest Tariffs Ahead Of Trade Talks

Japan, pobrecito.

For years the method of selling cars in Japan has discriminated against ALL other manufacturers - not just from the USA. ANd while it is said it has no Tariffs - it is so clearly skewed against imports as to be obvious..

Frankly - if Japan complains - I would simply REQUIRE them to sell car under the SAME system - here - that they support in Japan. At which time - it would go away.

In answer to 56, Japan uses a system call "Type Acceptance" for a manufacturer trying to bring their product into Japan. It is a series of government issued fuzzy specs and inspectors that the product first has to go through and pass. Sometimes it can take a year or more to get approval, especially if they view the product is a threat to their home grown products. Model changes start the process all over. Beyond that their distribution systems are loaded with middlemen and one usually has to get Japanese partners to break into the market. There are lots of ways to inhibit trade that countries use, while the USA generally didn't do nearly as much of this. Japan and China are classic examples of these anti import games.

EPA has published methods for objective testing right down to the brand of equipment to be used, so you know exactly what you have to do to get your product sold. (or in VW's case how to cheat). Same for the other agencies or private institutes like IIHS, CE Mark, UL, etc. etc. Japan's system is more subjective so you don't know where the "gotcha" will come from. They use it to protect their industries. China uses one monetary system inside the country, but it can't be used to buy imports. You have to exchange it per government rules and limitations to get money to bring in imports to sell in China. That process tends to be somewhat subjective.

Sorry but trade with Asia is a one way street as in they only want to sell you their shit and not buy yours unless it is unrefined product that they need (timber, coal, ore, copper etc) to make finished goods to dump back on your shores cheaper than domestic wholesale. Trust me I know and fought against this shit for years and almost BK'd my company until I got smart and outsourced and finally capitalized on this with better quality products.

Americans have the pick of the best vehicles made in the world and at prices envied by consumers the world over and the reason for that is our size and our relatively open trade policy. It baffles me that so-called car-enthusiasts support Trump's effort to completely blow that up. American consumers will end up with fewer choices at higher prices all to prop up the commodity steel and the dying coal industries.

Actually, the Japanese will cave in.

Assuming Japan "caves", which American cars can compete in Japan?

What American manufacturer even makes right hand drive vehicles? Toyota wouldn't sell many vehicles in the US if they didn't make them with steering wheels on the left side of the car. To compete, you gotta show up.

Ford does. Ford builds the RHD Mustang here for worldwide consumption.

I'm glad to hear Ford is producing a RHD version. Per the Google, it started production in 2016 has been a success for Ford in markets such as South Africa, Australia, and the UK. Japan, where the top speed limit even on expressways is 50 - 60MPH isn't exactly clamoring for American muscle cars, but this does prove that if American manufacturers have a good product, the world will buy it. US manufacturers don't need ham-fisted protectionism to flourish. They need a good product.

Any of you guys ever driven in Japan? You Darringer? I have - for many years. I'd suggest Ford might be able to sell a couple of hundred Mustangs in Japan at the most in a market with low speed limits, tight streets, small parking spots and a reality where most families own a single car (not to mention the long reputation American cars have earned for inferior quality to the local brands).