Comments on: Chevrolet Volt considered for 2011 launch in Japan

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:01:44 +0000

It’s not just the brand perception. Japan is a very closed country. It’s always about supporting the Japanese product over the import product. And it doesn’t help that they practice protectionist policies (think Tariffs or markup) to benefit their own economy rather than the global economy. It’s the main reason why no import from either the US or Europe has ever been successful in Japan.

For instance take a look at the Chevrolet Camaro, here in the states there’s already about a $10,000 markup on a base model Camaro (sells for around $30,000 for base V6). In Japan the markup is about double, so a base model Camaro goes for nearly the same price as a loaded SS Camaro. And I’d assume the loaded SS Camaro would sell for what we’d expect to pay for the base model Corvette here in the states. With tactics like that, it’s impossible for a non Japanese brand to brake into the Japanese market.

I say don’t worry about Japan, this isn’t the game industry, you don’t need to win in Japan to have true success (one of the main reasons why Xbox is #2 instead of #1 in the game industry).

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:14:41 +0000

2011 Chevy Volt’s Debut in Japan better have all the bugs and glitches out. Japan will use any faults to fix Toyota’s recall reputation there and in the States.

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:01:28 +0000

Initially they’ll have to say yes, import them, then they will take them apart. Redesign it and make it better and sell it back to the US. Is this not how Japanese manufacturing started?

By: Shak

Shak — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:21:12 +0000

They didnt and still havent and look were that got them, although the tides seem to be turning with the recent problems of the Big.T

By: AAA

AAA — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:56:34 +0000

This will be Saturn repeating itself in a couple of years.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:34:19 +0000

Now this would be a mega tough task to sell an American product to the ever loyal Jananese community.

You think they would have learnt Japans trade only works one way, and thats their way

By: tekkyy

tekkyy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:12:36 +0000

yeah its a strange market
google top 10 brands in Japan and we see no imported brands

By: Innova

Innova — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:49:27 +0000

LOL, bet you didnt know that Hyundai has just withdrawn from Japanese market due to poor sales.

By: HyundaiSmoke

HyundaiSmoke — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:02:19 +0000

Toyota sales will plummit as soon as Hyundai and GM start sellings cars in Japan. Who would want a Toyota?

By: Shak

Shak — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:02:14 +0000

I read today on a other site that Gm has decided to delay the November reveal in America to make sure they can have the bet reveal out there. They want to make sure everything is ready to go.