Why are Japanese cars the best?
Why European Cars are Better than Muscle and Japanese Cars #OTDA
Above is what can be reckoned one of, if not, the, most beautiful shapes to ever be penned and forged, with those respective contours and panels belonging to a car even Enzo Ferrari thought it was “the most beautiful car ever made.” The Jaguar E-Type, a symbol of Great Britain and, as a whole, Europe, exudes a sophisticated, refined aura that is present in many of the cars from the continent. The design mimicked the C and D-Types of the past, borrowing from the leaps and bounds of aerodynamics in the latter, and newer, equally revolutionary technologies were inserted within the panels to ensure a sporty experience.
It’s this refinement, this supple quality and care of engineering, along with the driver being a stressed member of the driving experience, that a sheer driving pleasure is achieved within a European car that an American or Japanese car cannot completely replicate. Each kind of car has a different temperament, a different philosophy, that is infused with it upon its creation. Concerning a European car, however, the experience is based upon a connection between the car and the driver, which, in such times as these, is starting to slowly fade away.
To summarize (dare I call it blatently), many American and Japanese cars are on two different axles, but many European cars are on another chassis. The question is, why do I bring up this type of car when we are only talking about two explicit ones (Japanese being covered by Szymek S and American being covered by Gurminder Bains)?
Europe Made the First Car
Without Europe, the modern automobile (as we know) would not be the same as we see it now. In 1879, Karl Benz created his first stationary gasoline engine, a two-stroke one-cylinder engine, and it received large amounts of commercial success due to its potential applications.
Because of this success, he was able to pursue a dream that was inspired by this venture: to create a lightweight vehicle where, being propelled by a gasoline engine, the engine and chassis were unified into one. A tubular steel frame held a rear-mounted (longitudinal) engine, three wheels, and a differential, and on January 29, 1886, Karl applied for a patent (number 37435), making it the birth date of the automobile.
From here, Benz would, along with Gottlieb Daimler, set up the companies that predate Daimler-Benz AG, which was created when the companies of the past merged together in 1926, and Daimler would begin to use “Mercedes” in his names when, in late March of 1901, Emil Jellinek named a race car that he commissioned after his daughter. That car, the Mercedes 35 HP, would go on to emerge victorious at the race at Nice, France.
Without Europe, there would be no Mercedes-Benz, a pillar in the automotive community for its legendary sporting endeavors and exploring emerging technologies and finding unique applications for technology to not only better the chances of saving one’s life, but also to better the chances of improving the quality of life.
Refined Sophistication
The sophistication injected into a European car’s design and engineering exudes this feeling of confidence, of being safe in the hands of the continent that created the automobile. They usually, no matter the manufacturer, include at least some trim devoted to making the interior of the car luxurious, but the method in which they do so, especially with how it’s all arranged in the design, makes the interior continue to appear sleek and modern, almost as if it’s wearing a collared shirt.
On top of that button-down shirt resides the jacket, which keeps the views of the shirt from the exterior rather limited. It almost seems that this jacket tempts one to take it off and discover what lurks underneath.
Then again, it’s sometimes better to leave it on because of how stunning the exterior is. There are variations depending on which country and company is being referred to, but the language’s principles do not speak of how form follows function, but rather, quoth Frank Lloyd Wright, that “form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.” As a result, not only does the form conform to the function and avoid disrupting it, but it also does so with grace. Imagine a business card; form following function would be a simple name, phone number, and e-mail address.
If one apply Wright’s teachings, the card does the same job as before, but it does so with a theme that entertains the reader, being implied by the font, graphics, and any other items on it. It becomes not like the pen was scribbling, but like it was traipsing carefully and passionately.
Driving Pleasure
The fun does not stop with aesthetics, but attention soon comes to performance and the car’s experience. One can only stare at something tempting for so long before he/she decides it is time to use it. Starting a European car gives a hint at the car’s demeanor: is it whistling quietly in the background as five cylinders hop excitedly or are there twelve pistons eager to compress the air and fuel within the cylinder? It is understood that the most exciting experiences come from cars that push the envelope so hard that it rips, but there is something to take from a slower car than this.
In a car of a higher caliber, it’s fun to go fast, but the main goal in driving is to understand the connection that the driver has to the car and the relationship it has with the road beneath. To understand this connection allows one to know exactly how the car operates and feels in apexes, braking zones, and straights. This knowledge, which puts you in control of the car, allows you to be involved more than pulling back a thin piece of brushed metal or wiggling a beechwood gearknob within a box.
Going further, each individual country within Europe has a different driving experience. Where Italy offers sporty, pulse-quickening rides, Germany’s cars tend to be sporty and/or practical. Concerning Sweden, it can either be a safe, sensible choice where you are padded safely within the seat, or it can be a hairy-chested battle between you, the road, a twin-turbocharged (or twin-supercharged) Ford Modular V8, and lap times. Britain’s rides are refined grand tourers or bleeding-edge supercars and hypercars, and Poland has the Arrinera Hussarya.
Such is the refined nature that the spirit feels pure, that the spirit feels powerful and power-giving. It does not make one greedy, but hungry. With such a spirit, it feels secure in traditional passenger cars and unhinged in supercars and race cars. It, along with engineering prowess that’s been mastered over the past 130 years, is what allows manufacturers to become so dominant in the world, so recognizable that they transcend the line between normalcy and greatness, and in such situations, the Europeans’ technical skills, combined with their enthusiasm, ability, and design, contribute to the greatest cars ever built.
There are those from American and Japan that are able to go toe-to-toe with these cars, but even they had to be inspired in some part by Europe’s innovations.
(At the bottom of this #BlogPost is an example of form and function coming together beautifully, along with Porsche’s technical expertise, in the 935 K3; thank you for reading! I might be a little early, so you can wait for Szymek and Gurminder’s arguments! Also, I was not privy to knowing what or how long the post should be, so I apologize for not knowing!)
Why Are Japanese Cars So Good?
Once sceptical, the American and European car markets have gradually embraced Japanese imports and brands alike. Impressing beyond their domestic market, automakers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan – nowadays big market names – are very reliable. Many have noted that Japanese carmakers have historically been associated with manufacturing long-lasting and durable vehicles.
With the passage of time, the quality gap between Japanese vehicles and their American counterparts has narrowed. Yet, with that keen reputation for reliability, Japanese cars are still a firm and popular favourite amongst drivers.
So, why are Japanese cars so good? Better yet, why exactly are Japanese cars so reliable?
1) Reliability
According to many recent, and past, surveys, Japanese cars are almost synonymous with reliability. It’s an association that drives many to purchase vehicles from a Japanese brand like the Mazda MX-5 – and even more to praise their vehicles. What initially felt like a car cult, the prowess of Japanese automaking has maintained a popular reputation; some collect cars, others embrace the everyday reliability of their Japanese model.
Where did this reputation for reliability come from?
Why Are Japanese Cars So Reliable?
American and European markets have long benefitted from the effective production model pioneered by Henry Ford and his assembly-line efficiency. Yet, Japanese efficiency can’t be captured by the conventional assembly line. Instead, production techniques have, in many cases, challenged and rivalled established industry practices.
In a post-war Japan, lacking capital investment and finite resources shaped a more frugal construction practice. As a result, the arrival of Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing answered to these struggles and offered a roadmap to efficiency, whilst making the cars increasingly more reliable. Primarily developed through Toyota (as the Toyota production system), this leaned out production method in Japan and has two objectives: to quicken production phases, whilst responding to demand from buyers.
Nowadays, these techniques have been advanced as “lean” manufacturing, learning from the frugality of past eras in Japanese production history. These sharp techniques focus on productivity and reliability, which can feel different from the wasteful outlook of other industry practices. The result is a cherished reputation between Japanese vehicles and their reliability.
2) Technically Better Cars
Though defined by early success, reports in 1983 appeared in popular trade paper The New York Times, which published about the perceived wisdom of Japanese efficiency. Noticeably, the techniques of Japanese assemblies were thought to be impressive. Increasing automation changed the roles of manual labour and smaller inventories have refocused how materials are used. The outcome balances a low cost against a higher quality and value that sets benchmarks for outside competition.
Yet, it’s the attention to detail that testifies to why Japanese cars are better. The process is so finely tuned that it detects and corrects mistakes as part of a car’s efficient assembly. Where manual labour is more thoughtful, comfort and care goes into every car. Nowadays, Japanese assemblies represent a balance between robotic automation and a human touch.
3) Cultural Values
An invisible force that shapes car manufacturing is the culture of Japan. Many have noticed that car culture, and manufacturing, in Japan resonates with a sense of punctuality and care. An early system built on frugality, Japanese cars had to be made with prudence in mind. Since then, car manufacturing in Japan has always felt like a source of national pride.
Yet, there’s an enthusiasm that’s infectious. A whip of noise, a darting of colour – modified cars and Japanese imports feel, at time, like one in the same. In Japan, a hashiriya shares it meaning with a street racer, a common scene for UK imports of Japanese performance cars.
4) Manufacturers
This association with reliability is often why Japanese cars are the best, according to experts and research alike. Indeed, reliability is in the top-ranking frequent questions people are likely to ask before purchasing a new car. Reliability lists, whether by models or manufacturers, are often testifying to Asian cars.
These top ten lists are littered with Japanese brands and include all the favourites – Lexus, Toyota, Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Mazda.
So, why are Japanese cars so good?
A careful cocktail of culture, technique and history has slowly captured the enduring reliability of Japanese car manufacturing. It’s never been a fading fashion either, but rather Japanese cars have long been the example of tuneable car craft for the better. There’s little competition when it comes to Japanese cars. The rest is just noise.
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Why are Japanese Cars better?
There is much that can be said about an automaker’s popularity but facts and statistics cannot be disputed. Although one’s preference for certain cars is down to personal preference and needs, statistics will always point towards a certain direction. When you put statistics and facts into consideration, there is no doubt that Japanese cars are the most popular.
While the world was still grappling with the effects of World War II and entering into the cold war, Japan had already counted its losses and moved on developing an automotive industry like no other in the world.
The Japanese automotive industry is well designed and developed. Japanese car brands like Toyota and Honda are able to get more sales in other car manufacturing countries. The Japanese brands usually outshine the local brands in these countries too.
Which begs the question: Why are Japanese cars better?
Quality
The Japanese automakers produce cars that can compete with any other model, anywhere in the world. Japan produces quality cars that suit different people’s tastes and needs. When you compare a Japanese car with most European or Chinese brands, one thing is clear. Japanese cars usually trump the other brands, hands down. From features to quality and even efficiency, Japanese brands usually reign supreme.
Affordability
It’s no secret that Japanese cars are known to be affordable worldwide. Instead of concentrating so much on high-end expensive cars, most Japanese brands cater to the masses. These brands provide what the average consumer needs and at a price they can reach.
Furthermore, the automotive industry in Japan is very advanced. With most of these brands using state of the art technology and robots to manufacture vehicles. Which helps to reduce production costs, making Japanese cars competitively priced.
Every vehicle for everyone
The Japanese automotive industry is driven by customer needs as well as technology. Unlike many of their competitors who focus solely on technology alone. Therefore, shopping for a Japanese vehicle is like shopping in a megastore where they have everything under one roof.
Japanese automakers produce an array of cars for different people with different needs. If you want a low budget vehicle with low fuel consumption and cheap spare parts, there will be a variety for you to choose from.
Similarly, if you want a high-end luxury SUV with premium features, you wouldn’t run out of options as well. This way, you can always be sure to get exactly what you want.
Good reputation and reliability
One thing that Japan is known to be very good at is making cars. Japan has a reputation for having the most developed automotive industry in the world. It is also the largest automotive industry in the world. Which has also increased competition in the industry. And because of the added pressure to create quality cars, forcing every Japanese car to be built with a certain degree of reliability and quality.
These circumstances have positively affected the Japanese automotive industry. Most, if not all, Japanese car brands can consistently produce reliable vehicles. Plus, their cars are world renowned for being able to handle difficult terrains and weather/road conditions.
These points have helped in the rise to the popularity of Japanese cars.
Easy to maintain
The cost of maintaining Japanese cars compared to a similar European car might be as low as half or a third of the cost of the European car brand. This is simply because spare parts for Japanese cars are readily available. Plus, these parts are extremely affordable as well.
There’s a number of avenues available for Japanese car owners to venture in when looking for spare parts. Which gives these owners more options and there’s no need to get them from authorized dealers all the time, helping them save a bit more.
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