American car brands struggle to gain traction in the Japanese market due to factors such as consumer preferences, stereotypes about American cars, and differences in the car buying experience.
Japanese automakers excel in the U.S., but American car brands struggle in Japan.American car brands focus on larger vehicles, which don't align with Japanese preferences.
Ford left Japan in 2017, and General Motors has a small presence.Criticisms of the imbalance include Japanese protectionism and technical barriers.
Japan's closed process for regulatory compliance hampers U.S. car sales.Japanese consumers prefer compact vehicles and have specific needs due to limited space.
Japanese car buying experience is service-oriented, with custom-building options.
Japanese market dominated by local brands , imports are mainly high-end European vehicles.
Japanese perception of American cars as inefficient and unreliable stems from historical baggage.
U.S. automakers call for removal of barriers in Japan to ease business challenges.
Similar struggles in other international markets pose challenges for American automakers.