I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so: Majority of Californians buy Japanese cars in 2006
California auto dealers are reporting that by year's end the state's residents will have bought 938,839 Japanese vehicles and 859,206 domestic vehicles, the latter of which also includes those sold by The Chrysler Group despite the location of its parent company's headquarters in Germany. This is big news as Californians have never before let down the Big Three in sales. The cause is most likely the decision by each domestic automaker to reign in their respective fleet sales, which account for a significant percentage of their sales nationwide, let alone in California. The Big Three will end the year with 41 percent of the California new car buyer market, which is a drop of 9.2 percent compared to 2005. The Japanese brands, meanwhile, will rise 2.7 percent to 44.8 percent. Being the largest new car market in the U.S., California can also forecast trends in the industry before they occur on a national level. At the moment, however, it doesn't seem likely that Japanese brands will outsell their domestic competitors on a national level anytime soon, with the latter still enjoying a 53.9 percent share of their homecourt and Japanese brands commanding only 34.8 percent of the U.S. market.
Thanks for the tip, Steve!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Steve 8:18PM (12/28/2006)
I really do like this song.
I've got your picture of me and you
You wrote "I love you" I wrote "me too"
I sit there staring and there's nothing else to do
Oh it's in color Your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel And soft as clouds
I often kiss you when there's no one else around
I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of you all round my cell
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down
And turning in and turning 'round
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of them all round my cell
I want the doctor to take a picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down and turning in and turning 'round
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger
That's why I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
(think so think so think so)
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
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bepsf 8:18PM (12/28/2006)
Very Rare to see
On California Highway
Chevy Cavalier
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James 8:24PM (12/28/2006)
Californian law and culture forces MPG consciousness.
The smog in Los Angeles reminds you every day.
What can a person say?
the big 3 will get their marketshare back as soon as they produce competitive mpg vehicles, with desirable styling. GM seems to be doing just that right now.
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spaceweasel 8:29PM (12/28/2006)
I was going to lay odds on how long it would take someone to whip out the jingoism and blast the west coast buyers, but I'm too busy laughing at the haiku.
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S 8:31PM (12/28/2006)
I guess in weird places like California, 44.8% constitutes a majority. Not so here in the rest of the world.
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American Cars suck donkey dick 8:36PM (12/28/2006)
Smog in L.A. has gotten much better. And smog has always existed in LA BASIN long before cars thanks to the chaparral that exists that when burns makes for some nasty smoke(take that you environmentalist nazis!).
Besides, this story proves that the people who have choices don't buy American because American car companies create inferior products.
Los Angeles is the CAR CAPITAL of the world. Cars are tested and designed here. People in California don't always make the right decisions, especially politically since many are commie sympathizing democrats, but they do know that American cars suck and end up buying the better made, better styled, and better value Japanese cars.
DOn't you love free markets????
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Japanese cars take it in the ass 8:59PM (12/28/2006)
Last I heard the number 1 and number 3 selling manufacturers were not based in california. Gota love that 91octane crap they give you also. Not to mention you cant modify anything on the car exaust system without a 10 year fight with the government there. No they arent in the free market, just the oposite they are in a prison of there own design. In LA they cant even drive in the middle of the night without traffic. Its ok. California will fall off the map soon from an earthquake. All the japanese fan boys will sink into the ocean.
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James 9:01PM (12/28/2006)
California is also 12.1% Asian.
It's well known that the big 3 has neglected to make their cars fit the bodies of Asians.
Asians are slimmer and shorter, and often cannot see over the hood of big 3-designed vehicles.
big 3 seats are also too wide, providing no lateral support for Asian bodies.
The big 3 have neglected Asian American buyers, with predictable results.
The current Chrysler Sebring's marketing attempt shows Chrysler's realization of the fact.
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bepsf 9:07PM (12/28/2006)
#5
Considering that the remaining 55.2% are divided among several other categories (American, German, British, Swedish & Korean brands) - yeah, 44.8% IS a majority.
Incidentally, it works that way for government elections too...
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dave 9:11PM (12/28/2006)
so who gives two good craps about what those alternative lifestyle people from california do?
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American Cars suck donkey dick 9:13PM (12/28/2006)
7 and 8:
Gotta love the racist tones of the both of ya. And you are right, American cars have bigger seats cuz we have gotten FAT AND LAZY and the cars reflect that.
Japanese make better cars pure and simple. And many Americans are making those Japanese cars you so detest. They are giving Americans jobs where American car companies are either firing, buying out, or moving factories to Mexico.
But, I support your God given right to throw your hard earned money away when you buy an American rubbish that passes as an automobile.
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Lime 9:22PM (12/28/2006)
So what, California is full of freaks and homos
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bob h. 9:25PM (12/28/2006)
They should paint all of the Japanese cars white like other appliances. Japanese cars have no soul.
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schultz 9:26PM (12/28/2006)
I am not really surprised.. Every third person you meet on the streets of L.A. or any other major city
in California is YELLOW MONKEY!!!! So what do you expect...
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John 9:26PM (12/28/2006)
Jesus will save American car companies.
Jesus will defeat Buddha's car companies.
I'm talking about Jesus the line assembly worker in Mexico.
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cpidgeon 9:30PM (12/28/2006)
I live in California and I dont drive any jap turd
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kevin e 9:40PM (12/28/2006)
Toyota - wal-mart of automakers..
No thanks i dont shop WAL-MART..
Toyota 2007=GM 1967
Connect the dots and draw your own conclusions.
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ramsport47 5:42AM (12/29/2006)
hey Lime...from one homo not in California...so are the rest of the states...they're just hiding from clan members like yourself fearing for their lives...jackass
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che culattone 9:44PM (12/28/2006)
9. (bepsf)
"Considering that the remaining 55.2% are divided among several other categories (American, German, British, Swedish & Korean brands) - yeah, 44.8% IS a majority"
bepsf needs to learn the meaning of the word majority...
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Sid 9:58PM (12/28/2006)
Asians are slimmer and shorter, and often cannot see over the hood of big 3-designed vehicles.
Huh? Yeah. THAT'S why they choose the Civic over the Cobalt. But I guess large-hooded Lexii and Benzes have see-through metal?
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