Japan Automakers Plan to Step Up Exports of Small-Cars
24 May 2009
Nikkei. Japanese automakers plan to increase exports of small cars with engine displacements of 1-1.5 liters by the end of 2010.
Foreign demand for small cars has been growing in part because of stimulus measures in some countries to encourage consumers to replace their cars. But automakers expect demand will remain robust even after the global economy recovers thanks to government-led environmental protection steps.
Mazda Motor Corp. will start exporting its 1.3-1.5-liter subcompact sold as the Demio in Japan and the Mazda2 elsewhere to North America. Mazda expects to sell 40,000 to 50,000 units annually there
In June, Nissan Motor Co. will launch European sales of the 1-liter Pixo, made by Suzuki Motor Corp. in India.
Suzuki will this summer start to produce the new Alto in China, where it expects to log annual sales of 60,000 units. The carmaker is also considering selling the Splash in the country from 2010.
Toyota Motor Corp. will strengthen marketing in Europe and Asia of the Yaris, which is sold as the Vitz in Japan. The car has an engine displacement of up to 1.5 liters. It also plans to accelerate the development of low-cost small cars for emerging nations.
Honda Motor Co. plans to start selling the Fit, which has an engine displacement of up to 1.5 liters, in India and China at an unspecified date, and launch UK production this fall. It also intends to develop a small car for emerging nations within three years.
With most of the world's population in urban areas, this makes sence. When a company has a national dealership, why not make all models available?
In six weeks the Tata Nano will be on public streets and many auto dealers may wish they had competing small car models.
Posted by: kelly | 24 May 2009 at 06:23 AM
Makes perfect sense...but only an intermediate step until GM/Chrysler/Ford start mass producing electric cars?
Posted by: ejj | 24 May 2009 at 11:04 AM
The trend has been clear since the mid 70s. Toyota brought fuel efficient cars to American and more people bought them every year. We all know the trends, with oil supplies not keeping up with world demand. We should not get side tracked with other issues, this IS the issue.
Posted by: SJC | 24 May 2009 at 11:29 AM