Author Archives: Ben Hsu
SHOWA SNAP: Fastbacks abound in 1975
Every time you see a new crossover ambling down the street, clogging your view, remember what life could have been. In this 1975 Japanese street scene, fastbacks are everywhere. In the car park to the right there’s a Corona Mark … Continue reading
JNC THEATER: Discovery Channel Japan to air new car restoration show
Discovery Channel Japan has announced a new car restoration show, Chihara Junior’s Car Revival Project! Hosted by comedian and TV host Chihara Junior, it will follow restorers and shops as they rebuild classic cars. Each car will have three episodes … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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QotW: What car should Nissan build next?
Carlos “Le Cost Killer” Ghosn came to Nissan at a time when the company was in massive debt, due partially to the fact that it was building too many different and over-engineered cars. He started a ruthless cost-slashing campaign that … Continue reading
VIDEO: Look at what Nissan had to offer in 1991
The year 1991 might have very well been, for enthusiasts at least, peak Nissan. In a three-part series that year, Best Motoring covered the entire range of Nissan’s specialty cars, and there were tons of them. Sure, there were the … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan will make parts for the R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R again
Last year Nissan announced to great fanfare the first phase of its Heritage Parts program. Through its NISMO division, the company would re-issue parts for the R32 Skyline GT-R, and if the program was successful enough Nissan would expand the … Continue reading
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
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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
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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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