Japanese exotics.

I guess the first reason anyone would tell you is that many Japanese consider a LHD vehicle more prestigious than RHD, although that is gradually becoming less & less the case.

The real reason I think is supply & demand. Given the main car markets are LHD it makes sense that the available supply of LHD vehicles is far greater than RHD. In Japan there are many parallel importers and they source their cars via third parties all over the world, so obviously they are more likely to source LHD than RHD.

From my personal experience, I approached several of these importers about purchasing RHD exotics when I lived there and was told there was no chance; only the official importer (who buys directly from the factory) were ultimately able to get me RHD. This also explains why many of the cars are a mismatch of Euro Spec v US Spec. Official agents also tend to import LHD because they are able to get a higher quota allocation than in RHD.

Lastly when a car maker produces a new model they tend to release the LHD version earlier than the RHD, in some cases there can be a 6 month or more difference; so those wanting the latest & the best must order in LHD - thus I guess where the LHD = "prestigious" comes from.

 

Words of wisdom from the wise

 

The people who buy foreign are already showing a strong taste for exotic. LHD is just that much more exotic. When first came to Japan in 1992, my company's carpark had two minis, one LHD one RHD that always parked together. I didn't even know Mini's were ever even sold in LHD!

I got an LHD 430 last month, and haven't yet found a parking lot or toll booth that only has a dispenser on the right. (I ordered LHD partly so 1) I could sell it easily in Japan if the novelty wore off, 2) keep it and take it back to Switzerland if I wanted to keep it forever. Right now I'd have to say #2 is much more the case.)

 

Actually i was told the intention was to have the car in true original form. i.e. german/french/italian/sweden cars in LHD while british cars in RHD. This has somehow evolved imto a form of snobbery which is why you see all those british makes in LHD there!!! I really hated it during my stay there although somehow I got used to it.

 

In this case, it would make life a bit difficult.

 

This trend is starting to change. 2 years ago, when I was looking for a used, I ended up with a Maserati Spyder because I could not find any RHD used Ferrari's. (Speak the language and have access to most of the dealers, so it's not for the lack of effort.) About 10% of the Maserati's at the time were RHD. Been speaking with the Ferrari dealer here, and they are seeing an uptick in RHD orders, especially since the 360's. Of course, the owners are taking a risk at getting a lower re-sale value. But people are finally getting to a point where they say fine.

I ordered a RHD California, and will probably be the first guy in Japan to have one in RHD form. This is costing me around 2~3 months in delivery time compared to LHD. Sad but not willing to compromise on this point.

RHD

P.S. It drives me nuts to see Aston Martins and Bentley's in LHD format. Makes no sense...

 

Here here! When I first came to Tokyo I was here for only 6 months but young and single and with a bit of cash, so I did the first thing any else would do in the same situation and went to the Ferrari dealer. Told point blank that there were no cars in stock, or coming in RHD - not even second hand! SHOCKED! Went to Porsche and was told only tiptronics! I ended up with a 996 RHD Tip but sold it after a year cos I didn't like the tip. Ended up changing jobs and then ended up in Tokyo again and this time, I just got a 997 LHD manual because I really couldn't wait more than a couple of weeks for a car. NOW, I am seeing loads more RHD's. Aston's are mostly RHD's, Porsche is up to 30% RHD, MB, BMW M3's etc are mostly RHD, Audi R8 is still only LHD but even Lambo will build a RHD car for you.

I was chatting to Porsche Japan's president and he reckons the reason is - in his words "most of the guys who buy LHD are show offs, they want to be near the kerb, wear a fat watch and not worry about using their left leg" of course Porsche's boss drives a RHD car. But he said it's from after the war, when the only cars were American and all LHD.

I actually prefer the seating position in a LHD BUT this is RHD country and I personally think they should offer FIRST RHD and then if a gaijin wants a LHD to take home make that available too. Unlike Australia which is a bit over the top. You can have an older car in LHD but a not new one - guess they need to protect their economy....

RHD what do you drive now? Are you in Tokyo? I am in Hiro.