Japanese Cars

It was love at first sight when I saw the Mitsubishi Outlander. The second generation of the vehicle, that is, where they dropped the former name, which was Airtrek, and switched to Outlander for adopting the global name. With advanced features, like an electronically controlled four wheel drive and stability control and better engine power, you’re obviously getting more than just impressing the opposite gender.
It’s a complete headturner! I’m telling you that when an Outlander passes, the people that witnessed its approach would be left drooling and jealous for whoever is driving.
The Outlander was even given a four star rating from the Euro NCAP car safety performance assessment programme for Mitsubishi’s RISE safety body. Obviously, Mitsubishi is not entirely concerned about how good you look on the road, but how to take you to your destination unharmed.

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.

Young professionals are looking for a car that looks great and sporty at the same time something that would fit their budget. Well, I found the right fit in Honda Fit. According to US consumer reports, the Honda Fit is best overall in a new class of fuel-efficient cars. It is not just fun to drive but it haves an impressive amount of interior space and versatility in its compact design. For sure, I would want to get in a car that top scores in reliability, crash protection and satisfaction. At a cost of $14,000 dollars, Fit is really a fit.

Image Source: www.cnnmoney.com

Gasoline prices never seem to have a downward trend. They are always on their highest states, so one may not be surprised if we say that Gasoline prices are on their highest this year. We need a car that can get me from point A to point B the cheapest possible way. Japanese cars offer various models such as the Honda Fit, the Toyota Vios, the Hybrid cars of Honda and the famous green car the Toyota Prius. Often there is a notion that style and comfort are often sacrificed for the sake of fuel efficiency. Honda and Toyota has come up with models that are efficient but stylish.

Image source: www.consumerreports.org

The diminishing supply of fossil fuels leads us in finding alternative sources of fueling our vehicles. Now there are hydrogen powered vehicles but at the forefront of the alternative fuel vehicle wave is the gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. In Physics, the law of Conservation of Energy States that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it only takes another form. This is what hybrid cars are about. Taking some engine combustion and charging an electric engine is what it takes. Advantages include an increase in fuel savings and near-zero emissions. Once again, Japanese vehicles takes us into a new world of environmental friendliness and driving pleasure.

Image Source: www.motorpoint.com.au

Image Source: image.automotive.com

New Mitsubishi Evolution was launched in Japan. Car enthusiasts will enjoy a tweaked Evolution for the 2009 year model. It revised its interiors and has a new GSR Premium model that borrows some equipments from the MR line model. The GSR Premium option packs a set of 18-inch BBS wheels, Bilsten suspension and fender outside. Inside, the GSR is fitted with a pair of leather wrapped the all time favorite Recaros and a Rockford Forsgate GPS and audio system hooked up to a whopping… nine speakers. Unfortunately, Japan’s updates are not readily available in America. The GSR five speed manual costs around $48,000.