Import Auto Industry – Present and Future

Editor's note:  The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect ImportMeet.com's stance on a given topic.

It's 2011 and times have changed considerably since the 90s, especially in the automotive industry.  With new technologies and the demand for efficiency, the market in which current automobile manufacturers are targeting has shifted.  As can be seen from this post about the Evo, many have decided that hybrids or electric cars are the answer.

This has meant that the areas cars most enthusiasts care about – horsepower, styling, handling – have fallen by the wayside and are secondary to fuel economy, safety, and practicality.  While this isn't necessarily a bad thing for the average car buyer, it really puts a damper on the true enthusiasts desire to purchase their favorite manufacturer's latest model.  I thought it would be interesting to create a list of my top three Japanese auto brands that still seem to be creating vehicles that we all want.  Feel free to post your comments either here or on the forum and let us know what you think.  Editors Note:  The intent with this post is to point out which brands or manufacturer divisions seem to be doing the best at design and marketing, not overall manufacturer.

1. Nissan – Without a doubt, this has to be the manufacturer that truly cares about the car enthusiast and the driver demographic.  With cars such as the 370Z, GT-R, Sentra and Altima, and the release of the Juke, Nissan seems to be truly catering some of their models to car enthusiasts throughout the world.  This has worked very well as Nissan reported a 26.9% increase in sales in March from last year.  While most of these sales are not directly attributed to sports cars or sporty vehicles, the fact that the company is willing to take risks on design and tooling to create a diverse lineup of vehicles shows just how well they are doing in their industry.  When most of the other Japanese auto manufacturers were tightening their reins a couple of years ago, Nissan continued to forge ahead with its GT-R and 370Z (coupe and roadster) and they have both really helped their brand image.  Most Nissan owners I have talked with today would without a doubt would buy another Nissan, which can't be said for every other import manufacturer.  If only they could create another entry-level vehicle similar to the 240SX, they would be totally dominating the industry.
    
2. Subaru – At a close second, Subaru continues to reinvent themselves and create quality vehicles that many people continue to love.  Their Impreza and Legacy models appeal to wide variety of car buyers and enthusiasts alike.  Their STI is an amazing piece of engineering that has done wonders for the import scene and helped bridge the gap between utility and speed.  Just like the Evo, where many owners have families or lives in which they can't have a 2 door vehicle, the WRX and STI have enabled a wider range of people to be able to enjoy the performance and quality that Japanese cars possess without the sacrifice.  With the upcoming release of the 2012 WRX this year at the New York International Auto Show, it's an exciting time for Subaru fans.  Be sure to check out the unveiling of the new Impreza in a little over 8 days.
    
3. Mazda – This may come as a surprise to some of you, but Mazda has done very well at weathering the storm of the economy the last few years and has some really exciting models still being produced.  With the MAZDASPEED3, RX-8, MX-5 Miata, and MAZDA6 Sports Sedan, Mazda has some great models for sale today.  Similar to Nissan, Mazda's sales rose 33% in March of 2011 compared to 2010 sales figures.  The fact that Mazda endorses motorsports more than any other manufacturer really shows how much they care about producing cars that all of us want.  Only a few years ago, Mazda was looked at as a lesser car manufacturer compared to many others, but today things are looking up and if the Honda and Toyota aren't careful, Mazda could start to take even more market share.

Well, that's my list.  What do you think?  What are your top 3 and why?

[Sources:  www.nissannews.com, media.subaru.com, and  www.mazdausamedia.com]