Japan's Auto Manufacturers Stay on Clean Air Track

11 September 1998
Japan's Auto Manufacturers Stay on Clean Air Track; Current Financial Challenge Doesn't Block Innovative Environmental Advances
    WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Japan's automobile industry is
looking beyond its immediate economic situation by facing the global
environmental challenge. New innovative vehicles are entering Japan's market
including electric, natural gas and hybrid combinations, according to the
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) newsletter, Japan Auto
Trends, released today.
    "A recent survey showed 72 percent of Japanese drivers are willing to pay
more for environmentally friendly cars.  While, 88 percent said they wanted to
buy low-polluting cars equipped with clean exhaust systems," William C.
Duncan, General Director, JAMA USA said.
    He added that "Although Japan's economy is in recession, it will bounce
back strong, vibrant and at the forefront of technological development.
Increasingly, environmental challenges will shape the market and environmental
technologies will lead the way."
    The newsletter includes descriptions and photographs of five new car
models and one truck. These vehicles range from solar powered to gas and
electric combinations.
    Japan Auto Trends also reviews the greening of Japan's auto industry both
in automobile recycling and in advertising messages. The automakers, in
collaboration with its industry partners, are recycling 75 percent of scrapped
vehicles by weight. The goal is to make the end-of-life vehicle 95 percent
recyclable by 2015 for the industry as a whole.
    The newsletter also highlights the record 1997 fiscal year purchases of
$24.95 billion in American-made auto parts by Japan's auto manufacturers. This
represents a 9.8 percent increase over the $22.74 billion bought during the
preceding fiscal year. This is the twelfth consecutive year of record
American-made auto parts purchases.  Japan's fiscal year begins April 1 and
ends March 31.
    In other news, Takao Suzuki was appointed JAMA's new Vice Chairman and
Executive Managing Director. Mr. Suzuki formerly served in Japan's Ministry of
International Trade. Immediately prior to joining JAMA, he served as Senior
Executive Director of the Japan Finance Corporation for Small Business.
    Japan Auto Trends' latest data insert covers Japan's passenger car market
from January through June 1998. Small and mini car sales continue to dominate
the economically hit market. However, overall passenger car sales were down
13.5 percent, while import car sales fell a sharp 26.5 percent.
    Japan Auto Trends is a quarterly publication examining developments in
Japan's auto market. The publication is available on JAMA's Web site --
http://www.japanauto.com.
    JAMA, headquartered in Tokyo, has offices in Brussels, Singapore and
Washington, DC.