# automakers based in Japan? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 1, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446 "2004-12-01T03:52:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saluki\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@saluki\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saluki_fan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/1 "2004-12-01T03:52:15Z")
What are the major automakers based out of Japan? Personally I think it is Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Mazda. Am I right? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/2 "2004-12-01T04:03:39Z")
Suzuki ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/3 "2004-12-01T04:07:05Z")
Nissan ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/4 "2004-12-01T04:08:03Z")
Nissan ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/5 "2004-12-01T04:09:55Z")
Subaru Isuzu ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/6 "2004-12-01T04:11:09Z")
A complete [list](http://www.autoindex.org/makelist.plt?cntr=16&letter=All) ---
**Author:** ![saluki\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@saluki\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saluki_fan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/7 "2004-12-01T04:42:31Z")
> [@Tapioca Dextrin](#): > > A complete [list](http://www.autoindex.org/makelist.plt?cntr=16&letter=All) I understand that list, but I was looking for the ones that were solely made in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/8 "2004-12-01T04:52:48Z")
What do you mean “solely made in Japan?” Not having any manufacturing facility elsewhere? Not using any parts or components made elsewhere? In either case, I suspect the answer is “none.” Not meaning to nag, but there’s a world of difference between “based out of” and “solely made in.” An accurately worded question saves everyone time and grief. ---
**Author:** ![saluki\_fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@saluki\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saluki_fan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/9 "2004-12-01T04:54:15Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > What do you mean “solely made in Japan?” Not having any manufacturing facility elsewhere? Not using any parts or components made elsewhere? In either case, I suspect the answer is “none.” > > Not meaning to nag, but there’s a world of difference between “based out of” and “solely made in.” An accurately worded question saves everyone time and grief. ok, I appologize. It would be better worded based out of. I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/10 "2004-12-01T04:54:55Z")
> [@saluki\_fan](#): > > I understand that list, but I was looking for the ones that were solely made in Japan. What do you mean “soley”? All the companies have plants in the US and other countries. Mazda is partially owned by Ford; Suzuki, Isuzu, and Subaru by GM; and Mitsubishi by Daimler-Chrysler IIRC. Nissan is essentially owned by Renault. Toyota and Honda are pretty much independent, but both supply cars and engines to GM. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/11 "2004-12-01T05:02:52Z")
> [@saluki\_fan](#): > > I understand that list, but I was looking for the ones that were solely made in Japan. There’s probably no such thing. Car makers assemble their products from parts made all over the place. American cars have Japanese parts in them and Japanese cars have parts made in China, or wherever. Furthermore, the Japanese car you buy in the states was almost surely assembled in an American plant. Major Japanese car makers are up on Wall Street and their ownership is all over the place country-wise. Nissan is thought of as a Japanese maker but their main stockholder is Renault. The best definition, I guess would be companies that have their HQ in Japan. Or perhaps makers that are members of JAMA, the Japan Automotive Manufacturers Association. They are: Toyota Nissan Matsuda (Mazda) Mitsubishi Isuzu Daihatsu Honda Fuji Nissan Diesel Hino Suzuki GM Japan Mitsubishi Fuso ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/12 "2004-12-01T07:54:19Z")
To expand a little on **jovan** ’s list, Daihatsu and Hino are both Toyota affiliates (subcompacts and trucks, respectively), and Isuzu is tied with General Motors. Also, Fuji (Fuji Heavy Industries) is the company that produces Subaru models. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/13 "2004-12-01T14:58:06Z")
If we want to include tractors, boats and/or motorcycles: Komatsu Kubota Yamaha ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/14 "2004-12-01T15:02:38Z")
I’ve seen Hitachi heavy construction equipment. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automakers-based-in-japan/277446/15 "2004-12-02T22:48:45Z")
Clarification, Nissan is 40% owned by Renault, so whilst a major shareholder not a majority one. At the time of the purchase, Nissan was in major pain and Renault doing pretty well. At this point, Nissan is the one doing well and Renault in major pain. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn came from Renault. 1 April 2005 Carlos Ghosn will officially take over as CEO of both REnault and Nissan, and he will continue to be based and headquartered out of Tokyo. [Nissan is one of my biggest customers] Most of the Japanese auto makers are not yet sourcing Chinese parts in a significant number for assembly in Japan.