What are the differences between the American and Japanese automotive markets?

Although importing passenger cars from countries outside the European Union involves additional formalities and fees, many people are willing to accept this, especially when it comes to destinations such as the USA and Japan. Cars imported from these countries are already a constant sight in the offers published on classifieds sites.

Automotive Culture and Customer Preferences in the U.S.

The United States is a huge country that has a very absorbent automotive market. Customers expect American cars sold in dealerships to have powerful engines, rich equipment and a good price. A large auto industry and unforgiving competition makes dealerships happy to offer more for less. Therefore, the base versions of the car models available in the USA and Europe differ significantly in equipment. It benefits not only people who buy a new car, but also customers looking for a used car.

Large sales of new cars translate into huge sizes of the secondary market and again we are faced with a situation where competitiveness leads to low prices. From the USA we most often import damaged cars, these are popular models of American and European brands, which even after adding the repair costs are worth importing from overseas. The sizable parts market makes the cost of operating a car in the American specification acceptable. In the USA there is a large selection of SUVs, pickups and sedans.

Those who dream of a muscle car are also heading towards the USA. American car brands are famous for the production of this type of car, so the United States is the best direction for those who dream of such a car. We are talking not only about the monuments for which the American automobile is famous, but also the latest generations of the most recognizable cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, etc. If we take into account the spare parts market for these cars, it turns out that they can be restored and operated cheaply and without problems.

The United States is a huge country, so you have to reckon with the fact that cars from the USA can have high mileage. However, these are often miles wound on high-speed roads, so it is rare for the engine and other components to be overpowered. In Poland, however, it is still regrettable that the car should have the lowest possible mileage and it is the number of kilometers traveled that should give grounds for forming an opinion about the technical condition of the vehicle.

Automotive Culture and Customer Preferences in Japan

Automotive in Japan presents a slightly different approach to car design. The engines do not have to be large at all, but for this the car should be equipped with the latest technologies, drive perfectly and ensure reliability in all conditions. That is why many Europeans sigh for Japanese sports cars. Japanese car brands have many interesting models such as Toyota Supra MK IV, Mazda RX-7, Honda NSX, Nissan Skyline GT-R, etc. These and other Japanese cars have gained cult status, and some have also made their way into pop culture. It is interesting that until the end of World War II, the Japanese car industry actually did not exist. Many now famous brands were engaged in, for example, the production of weaving machines, and later became famous for the production of sports cars, which set trends in the industry.

However, the most popular are cars of luxury brands from Europe. Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche - these and others Cars from Japan They are gladly brought to Europe. Why is this happening? Wealthy Japanese buy European cars, with left-hand drive, and for this they often order options that are not available to customers in Europe or configure the car in such a way that it is impossible to get a second identical copy. If we combine this uniqueness with an almost pedantic approach to taking care of perfect technical condition and low mileage, we get a recipe for a paradise for collectors and demanding customers. Such cars are highly valued in the European market.

An undoubted plus in the case of Japan is the fact that cars have low mileage. Japan is a small country that has a perfectly developed public transport network. In some cities there are large zones excluded from pedestrian traffic or dedicated only to the movement of the so-called kei cars. All this means that even wealthy Japanese rarely use their cars. In Japan, there is also a very strict system of technical tests, which can only pass a car that is in perfect and original condition. Any unauthorized rework or major deficiencies result in failure to pass a harsh and expensive test.

How do you buy used cars in the USA and Japan?

Cars imported from the USA and Japan are mostly bought at auctions. However, the two countries present different approaches to handling transactions. In the United States, virtually anyone can shop, and auction houses are open to individual customers as well. This means that you can search for a car yourself, verify its history, order an additional technical examination with a detailed report, and even purchase a service for transporting the car to the port after winning the auction.

As for cars from Japan, of course, almost all the gems go on sale, and auction houses are most willing to trade with professional intermediaries. Thanks to this, they have a better chance that after winning the auction, the car will actually be bought out from them, and the potential new owner can count on the broker to arrange everything for him.

If you want to import a car from Japan and are looking for a reliable broker, then the best choice is Sakura Motors, which has been in the business for years. Many years of experience puts your money and automotive dreams in good hands. Even before the first contact, you can familiarize yourself with the draft mediation agreement, which testifies to a high level of transparency. If you do not know what specific car you want to buy, specialists from Sakura Motors will help you make the right choice based on your preferences and budget.

You can also use the services of an intermediary when buying a car from the United States. The Bryki company from America is dynamically operating here, which perfectly moves in the American automotive market. So it will bring you the dream car for you whether you are looking for a family SUV or an American classic with a powerful V8 under the hood. The services of intermediaries allow you to save time and money. Thanks to them, you can be sure that in your garage there will be exactly the car you dream of.

Preparing a car for registration - similarities and differences

An important aspect when buying a car is the need to prepare it to comply with the regulations in force in Poland and in the European Union. In the case of cars from the USA, the changes are mostly limited to lighting (headlights, turn signals) and changing the meter from miles to kilometers. It is necessary to mention things that are not mandatory and that are worth doing. We are talking about the service of tuning the radio or replacing it with European ones (if there is such an opportunity) to take advantage of the full capabilities of your car, as well as the replacement of mirrors from spherical to aspherical. Older cars made in the USA may also differ, for example, in the shape of the bumpers, which is due to federal regulations, but it is not necessary to replace them.

In the case of cars from Japan, the situation is so interesting that the vast majority have a left-hand drive. Although a spacer is no longer required in Poland, it is always worth doing it in order to be able to move more easily on the roads. Usually, the adaptation of a car from Japan to Polish regulations is limited to replacing the headlights from spherical to aspherical, and if a given model was not offered in Europe, then to the modification of the lights, which is carried out using a special film. It is also worth replacing the navigation, since the Japanese system will not work in Europe and tune or change the radio.

As you can see, in both cases, the issue of preparing a car for registration is very similar. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that some innovative technologies have no European counterparts and are intended only for the American or Japanese market. Exceptions are cars registered as vintage, since in their case there is no need to make any alterations. It is enough to obtain the appropriate status of the vehicle.

Why use the services of an intermediary when importing a car?

Whether you are interested in buying cars from the USA, or you dream of some exotic from the country of cherry blossoms, then such a decision always causes nerves and an accelerated heartbeat. For Poles, a car is still more than a means of transport, regardless of the state of their bank account. A professional realtor knows perfectly well how to find the right car, win the auction, safely bring the vehicle to Europe. It can also optimize costs accordingly, because you need to know that not always the country with the lowest VAT tax means that importing a car will be cheap. If you get on the queue at the customs depot and the car passes a forced stop, you will pay for each day of parking.

What is the difference between importing a car from the USA and importing a car from Japan?

You already know that Japanese auction houses work primarily with professional companies, while in the USA anyone can take part in the auction. The auction systems of the two countries also have different approaches to describing and verifying the condition of the vehicles sold. An example? In the US, offers often contain only pictures, mileage, information about whether the engine of a given car can be started and, if necessary, the type of damage. To find out more, you need to purchase one of the paid reports (e.g. Carfax) or order an inspection performed by a third party.

In Japan, the situation is somewhat different. For the history of the car, it will be necessary to order a report, but when it comes to assessing its technical condition, it is definitely more accurate. The Japanese have their own rating system, in which they determine the condition of the car from the outside and inside, and from a mechanical angle. This means that it is usually not necessary to order additional visual inspections from an external company.

summary

You already know how the automotive market works in the USA and what are the expectations of customers in Japan. Mainly popular cars are imported from the United States, which often serve as the only car in the family and are intended to ensure its mobility at a low cost. For Japan, mainly expensive and exotic cars are imported, which are in perfect condition and have low mileage. This means that everyone can choose the right direction for themselves and enjoy their dream car, regardless of expectations and the thickness of the wallet.

In both cases, it is best to use the services of a proven broker who will take care of the safety and liquidity of the transaction so that you can enjoy your car from the USA or Japan as soon as possible. This additional investment will help you avoid the stress that comes with getting the paperwork done and will save you a lot of time.

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