Japanese Cars

Japanese vehicles are known for their efficiency and compact size. But they can really hit it with their big guns with pick-up truck models. These vehicles are not just but they still retain the Japanese can trait of reducing fuel consumption. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the Honda Ridgeline. In the US, it has received the international truck of the year award. One of the reasons why it has garnered such an award is because of innovative features like the 8.5 cu. Ft. In-Bed TrunkTM.

It is a large and hidden trunk that keeps your gear secure. It is water tight and it is made of high-strength composite material. The Honda Ridgeline is a well-equipped truck although unoptioned is certainly a contender.

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One would never think that a hydrogen powered car would be the official 2008 Indy Japan car. The Honda FCX Clarity is a car that runs on hydrogen and has water for its emission. In the third race of the 2008 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series at Japan, the FCX will pace 18 cars at the start using its 100 kW Honda V Flow fuel stack which is capable of running at 160 km/h at tops. This car is available at Southern California when it debuted in the 2007 LA Auto Show. Indeed, the capabilities of alternative fuel vehicles are getting more and more powerful.

One might ask what VTEC means. We see VTEC in Japanese cars, especially on cars manufactured by Honda, the company who introduced the VTEC technology. VTEC stands for Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control. To really understand this system designed by Honda R&D engineer Ikuro Kajitani, you must first know how an engine works. You can visit http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm, so that you would know how a car engine works before you can fully understand this amazing technology. VTEC was originally designed to maintain practicality in mass produced vehicles at the same time increasing its power output. A lot of VTEC variants have already came out one of which is the i-VTEC which cuts down fuel consumption while maintaining the power rating.

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When I was sixteen years old, I couldn’t wait to drive a car. That was the age when I was taught how to drive a car. I would always volunteer to do errands, that way I can drive. Even if it is late at night, I would sometimes sneak out and drive around our village. Our driver told me that my enthusiasm when it comes to driving will eventually run out. Now, after almost a decade I still love to drive however it is great to be a passenger if you are in the right car. The Japanese car that I would want to be a passenger of is the All-New Toyota Camry. It is designed for comfort and luxury. For, I would call it the CEOs car because of its look and riding comfort.

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It has been said that age doesn’t matter. Well, for cars old models can still rock ones world. One of which is the Honda Civic SiR (1998-2000 model). With the 1595cc, 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve VTEC engine can give you speed and better fuel efficiency. The body keeps its stylish look despite the cars age. One can easily modify the SiR with the numerous body kits for the SiR, but the stock version still keeps its integrity. So if you’re looking for a second-hand unit, with a need for speed but with the practicality and convenience of a sedan, you can’t go wrong with the 2000 Honda Civic SiR.

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If the first of the Japanese cars were humans in high school, they would belong to the group known by their peculiarity, or as modern day language would call as geeks. And the German cars would be considered the popular jocks.
Japanese cars were known by their size, that it wasn’t as big as the rest were. But it’s undeniable that they are of functional worth, and you can indeed say that they’re made out of good stuff.
Years came and went when Toyotas and Datsuns were already everywhere. Since then, the quality of cars in Japan had been better recognized, and later given them the opportunity to build plants in other countries, such as Australia, Britain and other parts of Europe. Other countries must’ve heard of the Japanese amazing skill that they could transform cork into dexterous vehicles (figuratively), so then more factories followed. The once laughed at cars in Japan became the jocks the cheerleaders are now crying for. Next thing you know, even your kids are already asking for a gorgeous Nissan 350Z for Christmas.

Cars often appear on people’s lists of wishes and must-haves, and perhaps it’s found on yours, too. But recently, they do not just go for the purpose of the cars to drive them to their selected destinations, but also for the vehicle to take them there with style. The owner’s preferred color is just the beginning. Talk about humans dealing with issues on their appearance. But evidently, everyone is concerned about being presentable, and they should be. But then, the owner also searches for chemistry that he could possibly find in the heart of the car – its engine. He looks for one of high quality to produce enough power for the automobile to drive him as far as where its heart can take him.
We know exactly where to find the sweet wheels you’ve always wanted, and we found them in Japan.
There is absolutely no other country in the world that makes more cars than in the Land of the Rising Sun. You have probably heard of the major car manufacturing companies, which are Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota, and indeed, they had us at konnichiwa. All of them belonging to the same country and the same home.
Considering the creators are Japanese, there’s already no doubt about the brilliant quality of these cars that have done good recognition and blessing to their country, making Japan the world’s leading exporter of cars.

Japan started manufacturing the first Honda cars at around 1963. After 23 years, they were able to develop another model of Honda, the Acura, which is launched in 1986. And last 2006, Japan has launched another world class automobile, the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Honda completely redesigned the Civic giving it a more athletic, curvier look. All models (including the base model) come standard with ABS and side and curtain airbags. Additionally, the 2006 models acquired a ULEV-2 rating and boast a more powerful 1.8 liter engine than the 2005 counterparts, but still retain almost equal fuel economy.

Definitely, Honda cars keep getting better and better. I wouldn’t be surprised if a year or so from now, there will be another car, much improved and even better, only from one of Japan’s leading brand Honda.

Last September 2007, Mazda launched its first new generation Zoom-Zoom vehicle, the new five-door Mazda2 which was a big and immediate hit in Europe. In December 2007, it was awarded a 5-Star safety rating by Euro-NCAP and it has won more than 20 automotive awards. These include Car of the Year awards in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece and New Zealand, along with the Japan RJC Car of the Year.

And this year, Mazda has another surprise for us, on the 4th of March the new Mazda2 3-door hatchback will be launched at the 78th Salon International de l’Auto de Genève. The new model also has the attributes of the 5-door hatchback but this one’s better with an even sportier feel at a more affordable price.

Who would have thought that Japan, a relatively small country in the globe, would compete with a much massive and powerful country like the United States of America. But yes, Japan made it to the second spot next to US as the largest automobile manufacturer and exporter country around the world. Japan gave birth to some of the famous automobile brands of today such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Mazda and Subaru. In addition to its monumental automobile industry, Japan is also the home of powersports vehicle manufacturers Kawasaki and Yamaha, and heavy equipment manufacturers Kubota, Hitachi and Komatsu.

Zaibatsu, a Japanese word which literally means business conglomerates, started their venture in the automobile industry in the middle to late 1910s. After almost a decade, Japanese cars are still in the market and doing well. Who knows, a few years from now, Japan might take over the US in the number one spot.