Category Archives: News
Rally drivers Hiroshi Masuoka and Teruo Katsuta receive Japanese government’s Sports Achievement Award
Two rally racers have received the Japanese government’s Sports Achievement Award. The honor is given to individuals that have made outstanding contributions in the world of sports. Hiroshi Masuoka won the Paris-Dakar Rally back-to-back, contributing to Mitsubishi’s era of dominance … Continue reading
This Mazda Miata quote about light weight may be among automotive history’s greatest
When answering the question of what defines the Mazda Miata, chief technology officer Ryuichi Umeshita just laid down what might go down as one of the great quotes of automotive history: “I would say the most important thing is that … Continue reading
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Japanese car importers get whiplash from slew of new tariffs
Car enthusiasts looking to buy an imported Japanese car or truck likely experienced a roller coaster of emotions yesterday. As the Trump administration rolls out its tariffs the news seemed to vacillate between very good and very bad for JDM … Continue reading
Seven & I Holdings, 7-Eleven parent company, buys controlling stake in Nissan
After months of negotiations, the fate of Nissan has been determined. Seven & I Holdings, the parent company of convenience store chain 7-Eleven, will own a controlling stake in the 91-year-old carmaker. “We welcome Nissan into our family of brands, … Continue reading
Nissan’s new CEO promises R36 GT-R
Nissan’s newly appointed “car-guy” CEO, Ivan Espinosa, wants to make sure Nissan’s heritage doesn’t get lost. Even though Nissan closed the order books on the GT-R earlier this month Espinosa, who takes the reins of Nissan in April, is reassuring … Continue reading
Get your JDM dream car now, because a 25 percent tariff is coming
Currently Japanese cars built outside the US, new or used, are subject to a 2.5 percent import tax, but soon that number is going to get a lot bigger. On Wednesday President Trump announced plans to increase the tariff on … Continue reading
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Mitsubishi reportedly partnering with Foxconn for electric vehicle production
Speaking of dying marques, Mitsubishi is reportedly on the verge of announcing deal with electronics giant Foxconn. The Taiwanese firm, best known for producing the iPhone for Apple, would build electric vehicles for Mitsubishi. This venture move would mark Foxconn’s … Continue reading
‘Leno’s Law’ to grant relief for California classic car smog testing
Even if you don’t live in California you probably know it has the most stringent emissions testing rules in the country. Any car made in 1976 or newer must be smogged every two years, no exceptions. However, the newly proposed … Continue reading
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida steps down, opening doors for Honda merger again
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida has resigned. In typical Japanese fashion Uchida, who took the reins in 2020 after the Carlos Ghosn scandal, has fallen on his sword, likely to give the Honda merger a second chance. Merger talks between Honda … Continue reading
Packing up the Land Cruiser
Last night as my wife, 5-year-old son and I sat down to dinner we looked out of our window and saw flames. For the last 48 hours smoke from wildfires has been billowing into Los Angeles’ skies, but this was … Continue reading
Nissan 240SX barn find gets first wash in almost 30 years
In Japanese tradition an osoji (literally “big clean”) is conducted to welcome in the new year with a fresh start. Therefore, here is a 45-minute video in which a barn find Nissan 240SX gets a thorough wash and detail. It’s extremely … Continue reading
Mazda RX-7 daily driven by 80-year-old grandmother begins new life
For the final post of the year we wanted to end on a heartwarming story about Naoko Nishimoto, the coolest lady you’ll ever meet. Nishimoto just turned 80 years old on December 18, and has been dailying an FD Mazda … Continue reading
Lexus digital gauges mimics that of classic Toyota 2000GT, AE86, and more
At the Japan Mobility Show last year Lexus unveiled the LF-LZ, an electric flagship concept. We didn’t pay much attention to it at the time because looked like any number of EV concepts developed by various automakers over the last … Continue reading
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Tagged 2000gt, 24 Hours of Le Mans, ae86, century, concepts, corolla levin, fj40, GR010, land cruiser, lexus, lfa, sprinter trueno, toyota
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Honda and Nissan’s merge is about more than just EVs
Honda and Nissan are reportedly “in talks” regarding a possible merger. Officially the two companies plus Mitsubishi, of which Nissan owns 24 percent, say they’re “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” In our opinion, … Continue reading
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
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
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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
