What if Tokyo gave an auto show & nobody came?

[Taro Toporific]

[Behan]

[IkemenTommy]

I would say it's the hard turn on the economy that is to blame here. The irony is that even with the high yen to the dollar rate (or euro), the prices for these foreign vehicles have not come down because of these useless paper-pushing distributors in the middle do nothing but pocket the high margin from the exchange rate.

[Coligny]

I would say it's the hard turn on the economy that is to blame here. The irony is that even with the high yen to the dollar rate (or euro), the prices for these foreign vehicles have not come down because of these useless paper-pushing distributors in the middle do nothing but pocket the high margin from the exchange rate.

It's a purfect storm...

1 economy in the crapper
2 locally made cars are excellent
3 foreign cars are kinda 'niche' market and people who want them allready know aboot them and how to get them.

VW (audi/skoda/seat/lambo/bentley/bugatti/porsche... that consolidation shit is getting out of hand) is the first import brand in japan... not sure they need to come anyway.

[sublight]

Wow, only 3 non-Japanese makers, and they're all tiny specialty producers. Looks like the show's just going to be one big sushi-fest.

[dimwit]

And just imagine all the race queens that are going to have to go on the dole.
Happy days for Greji I suppose.

[Greji]

And just imagine all the race queens that are going to have to go on the dole.
Happy days for Greji I suppose.

I'm re-writing my budget as we speak....

[Catoneinutica]

Wow, only 3 non-Japanese makers, and they're all tiny specialty producers. Looks like the show's just going to be one big sushi-fest.

"Sushi-fest"- I like it, Sublight!

-catone
-oh well, the Tansoku Tribe members usually seem to prefer it that way

[Mike Oxlong]

It's been apparent for some time that Beijing and Bangalore are what's happening...even automakers got that call right!

[IkemenTommy]

And just imagine all the race queens that are going to have to go on the dole.
Happy days for Greji I suppose.

It's all about luring the booth babes with the tickets to Disneyland (or Sea). These tickets are for the after-hours where get on a few rides and you watch the lame ass parade show so they are cheap as fuck. She has to work again tomorrow and it's such a hassle for her to go back to her tiny apartment in the Saitama or Chiba boonies so you get a hotel with her. Bam:!:

Only the Ikemen can pull tricks like that.

[Greji]

Only the Ikemen can pull tricks like that.

Are you sure? Would you like to see my list of cut-rate love hotels and ryoukans in the Makuhari/Urayasu area and collection of used passport tickets?

[IkemenTommy]

Are you sure? Would you like to see my list of cut-rate love hotels and ryoukans in the Makuhari/Urayasu area and collection of used passport tickets?

Grej, I wouldn't be surprised if you had the season-pass to those love hotels.

[Samurai_Jerk]

It's all about luring the booth babes with the tickets to Disneyland (or Sea). These tickets are for the after-hours where get on a few rides and you watch the lame ass parade show so they are cheap as fuck. She has to work again tomorrow and it's such a hassle for her to go back to her tiny apartment in the Saitama or Chiba boonies so you get a hotel with her. Bam:!:

Only the Ikemen can pull tricks like that.

That's still an expensive date. I say just go to Yoshiwara and cut to the chase.

[IkemenTommy]

That's still an expensive date. I say just go to Yoshiwara and cut to the chase.

For cost/performance, you could be right but where's the fun in that?

[Samurai_Jerk]

where's the fun in that?

You're finished in time to go drinking with the boys.

[SgtBeavis]

Why would any non-Japanese company want to go? For all intents and purposes, Japan is a closed market. Beyond that, it is a declining market. Automobiles are becoming less and less popular in a Japanese population that has begun to stop looking at them as status symbols. On top of that, Japan has an outstanding public transportation system making privately owned cars less and less of a need..

The Tokyo Auto Show should hang it up. Japan is a dying car market. Even Japanese manufacturers would do better to focus on emerging Asian markets.

[IkemenTommy]

[Yokohammer]

On top of that, Japan has an outstanding public transportation system making privately owned cars less and less of a need..

Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities have excellent public transport systems, but in the remaining 85%* of the country you need a car.

* Figure pulled out of my hat, but it should be something like that, maybe even more.

[2triky]

The new Lexus LF-A, a limited edition two-seater sports car

[wuchan]

The new Lexus LF-A, a limited edition two-seater sports car

A lot of people are jocking this thing. It is going to cost more than a lambo and is not hand built. If you are going to drop that much money you might as well get a reventon, maybe if you already have a lambo and are lucky enough to get one of the 20 built. Lexus is nothing more than a toyota with options. They feel the same when you drive them. I never understood the hype, they compete with BMW but are nowhere near as fun to drive. This one is promising but it also comes with a $280,000 price tag. For that much money I can build a R34 GTR that will fucking run circles around it.

On the other hand, this looks promising:

[2triky]

A lot of people are jocking this thing. It is going to cost more than a lambo and is not hand built. If you are going to drop that much money you might as well get a reventon, maybe if you already have a lambo and are lucky enough to get one of the 20 built. Lexus is nothing more than a toyota with options. They feel the same when you drive them. I never understood the hype, they compete with BMW but are nowhere near as fun to drive. This one is promising but it also comes with a $280,000 price tag. For that much money I can build a R34 GTR that will fucking run circles around it.

On the other hand, this looks promising:

Yeah the new Toyota F86 concept. Nice.

The Lexus is cool because it's been a hot minute since Toyota has designed anything sporty but I agree the price tag is quite steep vis-a-vis other supercars.

The Skyline has always been Japan's one true muscle car with no heir apparent.

[2triky]

from uncrate.com



Lexus LF-A

Cars like this usually stay at the concept stage indefinitely. But the Lexus LF-A ($375,000) will be built in 2010 and can be parked in your garage this time next year. Powered by a lightweight (aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy and titanium alloy) 4.8-liter V10 engine, this rear-drive, two-seat supercar pushes over 550 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. Only 500 will be produced worldwide.

[Sarutaro]

from uncrate.com



Lexus LF-A

Cars like this usually stay at the concept stage indefinitely. But the Lexus LF-A ($375,000) will be built in 2010 and can be parked in your garage this time next year. Powered by a lightweight (aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy and titanium alloy) 4.8-liter V10 engine, this rear-drive, two-seat supercar pushes over 550 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. Only 500 will be produced worldwide.

Looks a lot like a Toyota Celica...

[FG Lurker]

Looks a lot like a Toyota Celica...

Toyota absolutely sucks at car design. Their cars fall into three basic categories:

1) Obvious copies of other cars (MB 600, BMW 5, Ferrari 348, etc etc)
2) Plain vanilla shit that a drunk monkey could design (wagons, vans)
3) Fugly stuff designed from scratch in house (Supra, Celica, Prius)

I have no idea why the largest car company in the world is totally incapable of an attractive original design.

[2triky]

Honda EV-N

[2triky]

[Yokohammer]

While most CF components are created using pre-weaved sheets of carbon fibre, Toyota owns one of just two rotary weavers in existence, a device capable of literally knitting incredibly complex shapes out of the black stuff.

A carbon fiber version of the weaving machines they use to make stockings!!

And other tubular woven articles like fire hoses ...

Maybe there are only two designed to handle carbon fiber, but the concept is definitely not new.

[2triky]

A carbon fiber version of the weaving machines they use to make stockings!!

And other tubular woven articles like fire hoses ...

Maybe there are only two designed to handle carbon fiber, but the concept is definitely not new.

Indeed.

[Yokohammer]

Indeed.

Woah! That might be going back a tad too far ... even though there is a distinct circular aspect to the machine pictured.
Try looking up "circular weaving machine" or "circular knitting machine."

[Samurai_Jerk]

Indeed.

Greji's little sister?