nissan in japan

[greg_atlanta]

I was in Tokyo last week, and noticed a few things....

Maybe I wasn't looking the right places, but Nissan doesn't have a big presence in the showroom department. I was at the Red Stage dealer near the Imperial Palace and they didn't even have a showroom, just some cars sitting out front, all econobox types. There was a banner ad for Skyline coupe (G35) and a bunch of brouchures, but that's it. Found a Blue Stage showroom in Ginza a few blocks away, and there was a real showroom... but just econoboxes again plus one Cedric (cheap version of Gloria/M45). No Cima, no President, no Fairlady Z, no Skyline....

(I spoke more Japanese than they spoke English, which isn't much -- so can't say I got the full story.)

I got a brochure for the Stagea wagon. It looks a lot like a Volvo wagon, but clearly based off the Skyline/G35 (same interior and RWD). Very cool for a station wagon, hope it comes to the US.

Saw new Gloria on the streets, looks exactly the same as M45 less the Infiniti logo (no logo on grill). Very attractive in black.

Saw lots of Cimas ('02 Q45), a handful of Presidents, lots of Skyline coupes (very cool). No Fairlady Z, though. Guess they're still rare there too.

Rode is a Toyota Celsior taxi (LS430). Truly a coffin on wheels! Buttery smooth. (Of course the rest of the taxis I rode in were Toyota Crown... yawn).

In addition to the showroom in Ikebukoro I visited in March, Toyota also has a huge showroom in Odaiba, a new area on the waterfront (copying American mall look, including giant ferris wheel). They had just about every Toyota model plus all the Lexus models for the US market. Race cars too.

Skyline (G35) sedan has orange rear turn signals, while US G35 has red... guess they know orange is safer (but we wouldn't know the difference, only care about looks).

Hmmm... that's all I can think of. Didn't take many photos, but will post what I did take in a few weeks. Did see some Q45s and one J30 which were EXACTLY like US version except right hand drive.

[PalmerWMD]

Greg,

thanks for the update.Hmm too bad no showrooms, maybe real estate is too expensive there for big showrooms?But then how much space could they possibly take compared to a parking lot full of new cars.

BTW I really think your avatar is real cool.

Fred...

[theTony]

Oh yeah, would love to see some pics!! I would love to go to japan to just look at cars!

[greg_atlanta]

Go to look at cars, and go for other reasons too.... just go!!

It's a very baffling and frustrating city, but once you get the hang of it, it's a hoot! Overall it's a very ugly city, but everything just works, service is impeccable, the young people are crazy (but perfectly behaved), the subways are full of "salarymen" even at 11 pm, cute cartoons everywhere... JUST GO!

Nothing like travel to make you appreciate how easy we have it in America. Makes you want to live more simply. Travel may be money down the drain, but it's a good investment in how you perceive the world. Perception makes all the difference.

[Chally]

All Aussie cars have Orange blinkers as well.I think you'll find that most dealers are like "Mail Order", so they keep very little stock.

BTW, the Stagea is 4wd as well & comes with the RB25DET motor. We now get them in Australia under the Grey Import laws. (I must get one, one day)One company actually put the RB26DETT motor & Drivetrain out of a GT-R in one, & it apparantly goes pretty well.

You are right, the Japanese are a very polite & crazy race. We have Jap students every year & they are a pleasure to have. We can learn a lot from them.