Author Archives: Ben Hsu
LA Auto Show: Here’s the 2019 Mazda 3
Mazda has unveiled the 2019 Mazda 3 ahead of the LA Auto Show in Hollywood, California. The design remains extremely faithful to the Kai concept that blew us away at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, and is an absolutely … Continue reading
LA Auto Show: Honda resurrects two 90s nameplates
Honda has brought back two iconic names from the 1990s, but sorry, it’s not what you think. Unveiled ahead of the LA Auto Show today are a pair of new models for 2019,the Honda Talon and the Honda Passport. Neither … Continue reading
Posted in events, Uncategorized
Tagged eclipse, honda, isuzu, LA Auto Show, mitsubishi, Passport, talon
2 Comments
SHOWA SNAP: Takamatsu 1972
This slide, said to be taken in 1972 in Takamatsu, is ostensibly of an interesting-looking restaurant that appears to have a small castle-like structure perched atop it. However, what’s even more interesting is the S50 Toyota Crown sedan, Hino truck … Continue reading
Posted in Showa Snap
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NEWS: Carlos Ghosn is officially out at Mitsubishi Motors
After orchestrating a 34 percent buyout of Mitsubishi Motors by Nissan in 2016 and installing himself as chairman of both companies, Carlos Ghosn is now out of both. Mitsubishi Motors’ board voted today to remove Ghosn from his leadership position, … Continue reading
Happy 40th anniversary of Doukoho Day from JNC
We at JNC hope that our American readers are having a wonderful holiday with your families this week. Forty years ago today, a different sort of celebration was taking place, when 3,000 bosozoku bikes and cars took to the streets … Continue reading
NEWS: Carlos Ghosn is gone
The Carlos Ghosn era at Nissan is officially over. The Nissan board voted to remove him as chairman, as expected, following his arrest on Monday. His close advisor Greg Kelly was dismissed as well. The BBC reports that the vote … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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NEWS: Japanese Royal Family to get new parade car, Nissan out of the running
The Japanese royal family is about to choose a new car. That’s a big deal, since they haven’t had a fresh whip since about 2006, when Toyota delivered four specially modified Century limousines to the Imperial household. The new car … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Carlos Ghosn, century, Century Royal, lexus, Lexus LS, nissan, Prince Royal, Rolls Royce, toyota
7 Comments
NEWS: Ghosn’s saga continues; houses bought on Nissan’s dime, Renault votes to keep him on board
The biggest news to rock Japan’s auto industry in years is still unfolding, but more information trickles in by the hour. Here are today’s developments.
Tokyo District Prosecutors sent Nissan Serena to Ghosn residence
ゴーンを護送する東京地検の車両、日産車っぽい 最後は自社の車で護送されるとか pic.twitter.com/pUyASKC0qr — 紅の事務屋 (@HKT3012) November 19, 2018 Remember how the Tokyo District Prosecutors’ Office intercepted Carlos Ghosn’s private jet in a Toyota HiAce? According to JNC reader Richard Chen, they later sent a Nissan Serena to the Ghosn … Continue reading
NEWS: Video emerges of agents intercepting Ghosn’s private jet at airport, arriving in Toyota HiAce
Asahi Shimbun has obtained video of agents of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ office intercepting Carlos Ghosn’s private jet as it lands at Haneda Airport. The footage shows several besuited agents arriving on the scene and boarding the aircraft. Once … Continue reading
NEWS: Carlos Ghosn arrested, to be fired from Nissan for alleged financial crimes [UPDATED]
Former Nissan CEO and current chairman of Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Carlos Ghosn is facing arrest charges in Japan, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Details are sparse at the moment, but it is being reported that his is suspected … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda’s latest kei truck marks the 55th anniversary of its first 4-wheeled vehicle
Fifty-five years ago, Honda entered uncharted waters when it released its first four-wheeled vehicle. The T360 truck launched what was then primarily a motorcycle company into the realm of cars. To commemorate this watershed moment, Honda has released a two … Continue reading
JNC Library: The Trajectory of Super Cub
The Honda Super Cub reached the sales milestone of 100 million units last year and turns 60 this year. To commemorate the occasion, a new book has been issued. The Trajectory of Super Cub, by Kenichi Kobayashi, is said to … Continue reading
Posted in JNC Library
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QotW: What’s the best video game car?
Video games create a wondrous make-believe land full of cars we’ll never actually touch in real life. But even in these virtual worlds, some cars stand head and shoulders above their digital counterparts. Some utterly dominate the environment for which they … Continue reading
MINICARS: New Jada castings include Miata, RX3, 2000GT, EK Civic
At SEMA, Jada Toys unveiled several new castings of Japanese classics. As part of the JDM Tuners line of 1:24, 1:32, and 1:64 scale cars, the releases include several favorites in the pantheon of JNCs.
KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1968 Honda S800 Racing
Honda’s most famous early international motorsports exploits center around its Grand Prix victories in the 1960s. However, Honda also campaigned its S-series roadster in Europe, earning it a devoted following in certain countries on the Old Continent, particularly France and … Continue reading
MINICARS: M2 SEMA exclusive, Mooneyes X JNC Japanese cars
Every year at SEMA, our friends at M2 reveal some of their upcoming cars. We are very excited to confirm that we will be sharing some real estate on diecast Nihon metal with Mooneyes, in one of the very rare … Continue reading
