Word On The Street
Tetsu's Tales
Straight outta J-pan. Engrish from our man in Japan. Read if you dare.
Honda and Toyota are competing with each other to win in hybrid car market in Japan. In April, Honda produced the new Honda Insight sedan. The starting price of Insight is 1,890,000yen (about $19,000 US) - that's why Insight is the number one selling in Japanese Hybrid car market. At the same time, many people were interested in new Toyota Prius. Some people who want to buy hybrid car are waiting for new Prius because they wanted to make comparison with Insight. Before Toyota produced the new Prius, the media and Toyota sales people said new Prius would be more expensive than the old one because the body size of new Prius is bigger than old one. They said also the starting price of new Prius would be over $25,000US. In May, Toyota surprised us all and announced the starting price of Prius is 2,050,000yen (about $21,000 US), and this started the hybrid war in Japan.
Honda announced they would sell CR-Z (next generation of CRX?) hybrid next year. How about Toyota? Will Toyota sell new Corolla Levin Hybrid? After Honda announced about CR-Z hybrid, Toyota announced a new small sports car with IQ's chassis and customized suspension system and handling system with a price under $20,000 US. I care about Toyota's new Hachiroku. The competition to win younger people over is going to start soon. Honda and Toyota want to get young customers because many Japanese young people are not interested in cars. Gas price is unstable, the world economy is bad and young Japanese are only interested in computers, video games, iPods, anime or scooters. But it's not just Honda and Toyota who want younger customers but also Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Daihatsu. I am looking forward to any Japanese car companies who want to produce new cars (sport car, please!) for young people like me. Toyota's new CEO, Mr. Akio Toyoda likes cars very much so I hope his influence will help.He takes part in Nurburgring 24 hour enduro race with the Lexus LF-A. I hope Toyota will sell new cars for tuning markets in Japan, USA and other countries. How about Honda? Civic Type-R is the only sports car in the Honda family and there is no Civic Si in Japan. The CR-Z is not enough. But I think Honda knows everything and Honda wants to sell new sports car but selling cars is not easy. I have one idea of Honda's new sports car: how about Honda Beat body (mid-ship, rear engine Japanese K-sport car from 1994) with Honda CBR1000 motor and transmission? No? I say yes!
Tetsu
www.myspace.com/oted15
Super Autotoyz: The Revival
The last time you probably heard about the Japanese automotive chain, Super Autobacs and the state of its two US locations, you probably didn't hear anything in the way of positive news since they closed their doors due to hardship with the economy. While we can't say that Super Autobacs will open their doors here again anytime soon, we can tell you that their original Stanton, California location is back in business with the help of GR Sales, this time as Super Autotoyz. Local residents to the greater Los Angeles region can now enjoy the same benefits the former tenants used to offer, such as quality service from their sales and mechanic staffs, along with carrying the same type of parts that enthusiasts and general consumers needs to keep their rides looking and driving like they should be.
Source: Super Autotoyz
12645 Beach Blvd.
Stanton, CA 90680