Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Honda Prelude officially returning to US after quarter-century
It’s official. After nearly a quarter of a century, the Honda Prelude will be returning to the US market. Honda will be bringing its flagship coupe stateside in late 2025. While hard core enthusiasts yearning for a VTEC kick or … Continue reading
Electric R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is coming to Tokyo Auto Salon
Back in March Nissan announced they were converting an R32 Skyline GT-R to run on fully electric power. The project is now complete, and will be shown at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. Ahead of the event, Nissan … Continue reading
Hagerty selects Datsun 280ZX, Honda Prelude as cars to buy for 2025
Hagerty Insurance has announced its list of classics to buy for 2025. The “Bull Market List”, seemingly named for maximum flipper engagement, includes 10 cars plus an eleventh people’s choice selection whose values are expected to rise significantly. In other … Continue reading
Toyota Estima is latest nameplate selected for revival
Now that the 86, Supra, Land Cruiser, Celica, and possibly Starlet and MR2 have all been properly resurrected, what other historic model names can Toyota bring back? Sports cars and SUVs are all well covered. How about a minivan? According to … Continue reading
QotW: How can Nissan be saved?
There’s been some shocking rumors about Nissan circulating in the past week or so. According to The Financial Times, an anonymous senior official from the company said that Nissan has about “12 or 14 months to survive.” Sales have been … Continue reading
A brief history of Sori Yanagi’s Orient three-wheeled truck
Last week we briefly touched upon the Mitsui Seiki TR-series Orient, one of many three-wheeled trucks that took to the streets of 1950s Japan. The Orient was notable for being the only vehicle designed by Sori Yanagi, a one of … Continue reading
Toyota’s resurrected Celica needs an ad campaign; here’s one free of charge
With Toyota execs confirming the return of the Celica, the company needs a new ad campaign. Here’s one we think will really resonate with the public and get them buzzing about a car that hasn’t been in production since 2006. … Continue reading
Toyota Celica revival confirmed by top exec
Rumors of a Celica return have been circulating for over a year and a half, but we finally have confirmation from the horse’s mouth. Or, rather, the mouth of a top Toyota exec who would know about such things. The … Continue reading
The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata was a product of the tuner times
It’s funny to see how our beloved cars were reviewed when new. In the present we think of the Miata as standing heads and shoulders above rival sport compacts of the era. Cars like the EP Honda Civic Si, Ford … Continue reading
Someone donated one of the rarest Mazda RX-7s to the Toyota Automobile Museum
As visitors to the Toyota Automobile Museum in Japan know, it’s not just a hall of Toyotas. The TAM is a museum that celebrates the history of all cars, and just happens to be founded and funded by Toyota. Cars … Continue reading
Honda transforms Tokyo headquarters showroom into Hot Wheels heaven
Everybody loves Hot Wheels, but it’s for some reason still rare for an automaker to fully embrace the little toys that create thousands of loyal customers for them. Recently, of all places, Honda Japan set up a homage to Mattel’s … Continue reading
Is Japan making fun of us by decorating their USDM-style cars with plastic bags and other garbage?
If you ever been to Japan you’ll notice that their cars, even the regular commuter ones, tend to be much cleaner than their US counterparts. Part of it is the strict roadworthiness inspections they have to undergo, but owners also … Continue reading
2025 CX-50 Hybrid: What happens when Toyota and Mazda join forces
We’ve long wondered what would happen when Mazda and Toyota finally teamed up. Mazda, the enthusiasts’ choice that carries the torch for true drivers outgunned in a cruel market of crossovers and electrification, and Toyota, the juggernaut which for years … Continue reading
Motorcycle racing pioneer, father of Prius, and more inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame
The Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has selected its 2024 inductees. In addition to four vehicles of historical importance to Japan’s automotive history, the JAHoF has also selected five individuals whose work in the field are considered significant contributions to … Continue reading
QotW: Which JNC has the best-looking rear?
Today, November 4, is Butt Day in Japan. Now as you pick your brains up out of the gutter you should know that the holiday comes from the popular children’s character Detective Butt, who is a crime solver with a … Continue reading
Toyota Chaser is perfect pursuit vehicle in ‘Lonesome Hitman’
We’ve featured many classic car chases from Japanese film and cinema, but there has never been one with a car so fitting. In 1989’s Lonesome Hitman, the pursuing car is, in fact, a Toyota Chaser. With a name like that, … Continue reading