Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Isuzu Motors at the Yokohama Expo of 1989: upside-down cars and floating buses
During the Bubble Era, with Japan’s economy flush with cash, a number of regional expos sprang up around the country. Akin to miniature world’s fairs, they showcased local culture and industry thanks to corporate sponsors bursting with coin. One such … Continue reading
Shoichiro Toyoda, the Toyota president who built a global powerhouse, 1925 – 2023
Shoichiro Toyoda, the influential president of Toyota who captained the company during its growth into a worldwide phenomenon, passed away on February 14. The official cause, according to a Toyota press release, was heart failure. “Dr. Toyoda,” as he was … Continue reading
QotW: What once uncool family car is now desirable?
On February 13, 1997 the original Subaru Forester debuted in Japan. It was just another AWD wagon marketed as an SUV from Fuji Heavy Industries, bigger than an Impreza but smaller than the Legacy. In the era of Jeep Cherokees … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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1994 Mitsubishi Galant was once a compelling alternative to the Honda Accord
Poor Mitsubishi. It’s fallen so far but in 1994 it was riding high. So high, in fact, that Motorweek introduced the seventh-generation Galant by saying, “Mitsubishi is a company on the move.” Not only that, but the sedan was an … Continue reading
TRD still offers old school desktop wallpapers of Toyota art by Masahisa Higuchi
Are wallpapers still a thing? Japanese websites used to issue loads of them. Now it’s a dying art. We were surprised to learn that TRD still offers a few, though given the subject matter it’s likely these have been hanging … Continue reading
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Nissan and Renault are finally on equal footing
After decades of unhappiness in an unequal partnership, Nissan and Renault have rewritten the rules of their alliance. The two giants will now each hold an equal stake of 15 percent in the other, with Renault reducing their share down … Continue reading
QotW: What would your dream garage build include?
We’ve asked about dream garages filled with your most wanted cars, but not about the garage itself. What kind of home with your cars live in? We’re not talking a Jay Leno-style museum for 100 cars, but something more reasonable. … Continue reading
Posted in Question of the Week
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Will Nissan’s 80s retro-futuristic roadster be the first fun-to-drive EV?
The Nissan Max-Out concept doesn’t take any cues from previous Nissan models, but it’s aesthetic is decidedly retro. There’s a lot of 80s contour grid patterns and neon colors, and the entire presentation evokes an Out Run-type video game that … Continue reading
At least the Mazda Miata will be forever
Mazda’s all-SUV lineup might be demoralizing to some, but there is hope. They still make the Miata and, according to Mazda execs, the Miata will exist as long as the company does. It may not always have four cylinders or … Continue reading
Mazda CX-90: How Mazda laid out the roadmap for a glorious enthusiasts’ future, then threw it away
Many years ago a little bird at Mazda told us that the firm was working on a rear-wheel-drive sedan to be powered by a straight-six. We were stoked. On paper it was the ideal configuration — an inherently balanced engine … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite JNC shout-out in a song lyric?
The Mazda MPV made its Japanese debut on January 30, 1990. Eagle-eyed observers might note that this date is two years after it debuted in the U.S. With available seating for 8 and 4WD, it was a unique conscription into … Continue reading
Akio Toyoda steps down as president and CEO: His legacy at Toyota and his successor
It is often said that Akio Toyoda likes surprises. The Toyota president and CEO is fond of racing, and is one of the few corporate leaders who will eagerly don a helmet and climb behind the wheel of his company’s … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged A80, ae86, akio toyoda, Gazoo Racing, hiromu naruse, Koji Sato, lexus, lfa, supra, toyota, toyota 86
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Toyota Land Cruiser 70 might get re-released in Japan
One of the rumors coming from the Tokyo Auto Salon is that the Land Cruiser 70-series might, once again, get a re-release in Japan. Though the workhorse is still being sold in Australia and some areas of South America, it … Continue reading
QotW: How do you scratch your car itch in the dead of winter?
It’s been a tough winter for much of the country and with weather reports predicting another snowstorm in the northeast, it doesn’t seem like it’s letting up any time soon. That means icy highways, weather too frigid to spend any … Continue reading
Nissan Z’s customized nose from Tokyo Auto Salon is greenlit for production
From the Tokyo Auto Salon comes some good news for fans of the new Z. Nissan showed again an orange concept based on the Fairlady Z Customized Proto from last year with minor tweaks. That’s because the split nose, which … Continue reading
Mazda announces specs of inline-6 that will be completely wasted on SUVs
Mazda has spilled the specs on what should have been its last hurrah for internal combustion engines, the 3.3-liter turbo inline-6. Imagine, a straight-six brought to you by the same wacky dreamers that willed the rotary engine into a production … Continue reading
Toyota AE86 Hydrogen and EV conversions will let enthusiasts enjoy older cars for decades to come, says CEO
The rumors we reported on were true. At the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon Toyota did indeed unveil two AE86s converted to run on alternative energy. A flip-up headlight Sprinter Trueno was converted to hydrogen power, and a fixed-headlight Corolla Levin … Continue reading
Posted in News, tokyo auto salon
Tagged ae86, akio toyoda, celica, corolla, corolla levin, GR Corolla, Koji Sato, Masahiro Sasaki, sprinter trueno, st165, Super Taikyu, toyota
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QotW: How do you get bad smells out of your car?
The question this week is a personal one. Of the many traumatic things that happened after my AE86 got stolen (and recovered) is the fact that the entire car now smells like smoke. I’ve owned the car for 20 years … Continue reading
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 and 80 added to Heritage Parts program, taking requests for FJ60
From the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota has announced that the Land Cruiser J70 and J80 have been added to their Heritage Parts Program. Additionally, Toyota is taking requests for the FJ60 and has added a slew of new items to … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged 2000gt, a70, A80, ae86, corolla, corolla levin, fj40, fj60, Heritage Parts Program, J70, J80, land cruiser, sprinter trueno, supra, toyota
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