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Japanese car sales in China plunge 59.4% in October

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Think about all of those unemployed Chinese people. The world will discover the Peoples Republic of China is too expensive to do business. Selling so many fewer cars will just hurt the rich jiji and baba.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I find this lack of nationalism for the japanese cause detestable, gentlemen!

We people living in Japan should be willing to rather starve, than give away those three empty rocks!

Banzai !

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is indeed bad news for japanese makers. I guess the Japanese can sell to Indonesia and the Phillipines while the Chinese buy BMWs...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I meant that only Japanese and german suppliers can provide key components...instead a screw or a windshield wiper that anyone can do.

You're wrong. At least one of the contracts, for MMC, is for lighting, not screws.

"Can" means ability. The Koreans do have the ability to manufacture transmissions, and in time, they will start supplying key components for Japanese cars, based on how quickly the Korean auto industry is developing.

Nissan will probably lead. It is a progressive, globalized company headed by a non-Japanese. So it will not be so racist when seeking suppliers.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

South Korean and North American, as well as German, brands are expected to steal market share,” she said in a research report this week.

China’s overall vehicle sales rose 5.3% in October from the same month last year '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

How anyone can spin this is good for Japan is beyond me. And you can see the Chinese consumers are not suffering from lack of choice.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They should make Ishihara pay compensation for unnecessarily stirring up a hornets nest.

The Chinese were claiming the islands just as Japan was but as long as neither country did anything about it then both were willing to sit on the situation (barring occasional errant Chinese fishermen causing problems).

This downturn in sales couldn't have happened at a worse time. Ishihara is a dope.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

JeffLee, The flow goes the other way. Korean component makers are also supplying Japanese cars with parts, sent to Japan. Hyundai is selling parts to Mitsubishi and Subaru, Mando to Nissan, and Daiwoo to Daihatsu. So open a Japanese car, you'll also Korean components.

I meant that only Japanese and german suppliers can provide key components as CVT automatic transmission. Instead a screw or a windshield wiper that anyone can do.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What would the Chinese do if sales of made-in-China stuff in Japan suddenly plunged 60%?

Chinese companies does not care as it's way far from being their best market. Which Chinese brand is doing well over there?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What would the Chinese do if sales of made-in-China stuff in Japan suddenly plunged 60%?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

good news for detroit!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Open a Korean product and you'll see that the key components are still Japanese

The flow goes the other way. Korean component makers are also supplying Japanese cars with parts, sent to Japan. Hyundai is selling parts to Mitsubishi and Subaru, Mando to Nissan, and Daiwoo to Daihatsu.

So open a Japanese car, you'll also Korean components.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Thanks, Ishihara! And who was it only yesterday saying things like, "Japan doesn't need China!" and ranting about how China is suffering as a result of all this (suggesting Japan is not) and saying that pointing out the facts was somehow 'bashing Japan'? Well, here's more proof that Japan is NOT benefitting from the current island dispute (one of a few), and as I said then I will say now: they BOTH need to stop being so childish or everyone in both nations will suffer. Problem for Japan is, they will suffer a lot more; Chinese labor and cheap products will ALWAYS be in demand. Exports of finished electronics and other products will not, despite the fact that they are usually superior quality coming from Japan, and cutting off your BIGGEST importer really doesn't bode well for business.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Amid economic downturns, the issue is not selling less cars in a few months ( more or less expected ), problem lies in where you could replacing emerging markets that have similar potential & infrastructure as compared to China on road network ( India ? ) even if deep discounts are offered.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Darn and here I thought if only the billion plus Chinese (or Indians for that matter) would just buy a J-car, all our troubles would be over, right? I mean, all that sturm and drang about biosphere collapse is just nonsense after all. Ostrich, I give you sand.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@ Herefornow:

You are spot on! Japan is it's own worst enemy. They don't need the Chinese or the Koreans or anyone else to consign them to irrelevance, stagnation and poverty: All you have to do is stand back and watch them do it to themselves. The corrupt ministries working hand in glove with an apathetic and ill-educated populace will see to it. I'd argue that Japan has essentially decided to remove itself from the world stage. They're quitting the game and taking the ball home. Of course, you can't really say they've decided anything - it wasn't conscious - it was more a series of non-decisions, with inertia being the main boss. God help those naive foreigners who hang around in Japan hoping that "the young generation will be better." If you're living in Japan, especially with haafu children, I say get out now while the getting's good. Don't wait for Hashimoto and Ishihara and their ilk to start targeting you as convenient scapegoats when things really go from bad to worse.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

American Automakers Winning In China, Thanks To Japan

http://seekingalpha.com/article/995961-american-automakers-winning-in-china-thanks-to-japan

Earlier this week, both Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) reported strong sales growth in China in October. Ford reported a 48% gain to 60,518 vehicles, while GM recorded a 14% gain to 251,812 vehicles to bolster its #1 position in China

China's car market will be one of the largest in the world. As long as there is someone in Japan like Ishihara keep stirring up troubles then Japan will lose a lot of potential profits from this market.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

When economies start to collapse, politicians will do anything in their power to deflect responsibility. Nationalism is the easiest, the most popular, and the DEADLIEST method.

Expect to see MUCH more of this in the coming decade. The World is NOT in good shape.

Blaming this whole nonsense on a bunch of rocks is like a divorced couple blaming the toothpaste cap. This has been a long time coming.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

ka_chan Sorry Korean cars are not that good. Also, they will probably be fined big time for false mileage statements.

Open a Korean product and you'll see that the key components are still Japanese, but the components shipped to korea by Japanese manufacturers are slightly lower in quality if compared with the similar components delivered to Japanese automakers.

0 ( +6 / -7 )

Germany and Korea must be thanking God for this sweet sweet opportunity.

Germany and Korea should send a thank you note to Ishihara. You've made this all possible, Ishihara! Thank you!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

In related news, the sales of Japanese cars in Burma rose 800% from one dozen cars a month to eight dozen cars a month

1 ( +4 / -3 )

marcelitoNov. 10, 2012 - 08:56AM JST In a number of markets the Korean cars have overtaken Japanese in terms of value for money and quality and reliability is now on par with Kia and Hyundai refreshed model lineups over the last 2 years.

Number of markets that you mean is in China? Because most of these Chinese buyers are a first time buyers and they are clueless on the quality of Japanese cars. They have no experience in owning any cars, so how could these new buyers compare? In U.S., Hyundai still trails Toyota by wide margin. Why is that?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The Korean cars are ok. Thre is no originality on Hyundai cars and SUV's. Problem with design of Hyundai Elantra is a exact copy of a VW. Or even the high end Equus, which is almost a carbon copy Lexus LS460 and Benz. They still lack refinements.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Sorry Korean cars are not that good. Also, they will probably be fined big time for false mileage statements.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

marcelitoNov. 10, 2012 - 08:56AM JST The Korean cars have overtaken Japanese in terms of value for money and quality and reliability is now on par with Kia and Hyundai refreshed model lineups over the last 2 years.

You really are clueless on used cars. If you have five years old Toyota Camry or Corolla and compare with Hyundai Sonata. Check the resale value. Also, how quickly you can sell Camry or Corolla at top dollars.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

At that rate, Japan is still selling over 1.2 million cars. The increase in sales will come back when these customers that bought European or American cars will end up paying more money for frequent repairs. For the money, entry level Japanese cars still have one of the best quality and reliability. South Korea's Hyundai makes very good cars. If you look for five years old VW, U.S cars, or Hyundai, they really don't hold their resale value like the Toyota or Honda. You cannot fool the public, even in China.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Sherman -- exactly. And the voters will likely elect Ishihara to the Diet in the next election. Japan is its own worst enemy and has put itself onto an irreversable path quickly leading to complete irrelevance.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Ah, come on... whats 59,6% compared with three empty rocks.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Courtesy of Ishihara of course.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

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