Japan is the world's largest automobile manufacturer and exporter. It produces over 9 million vehicles per year and exports nearly half of that. The major Japanese automakers are Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Subaru. Each company has a long history in the automotive industry, with Toyota founded in the 1930s, Honda in the 1950s, and the others starting as early as the 1910s-1920s.

1. Japanese Automobiles Created By: Chad Martens and Ryan Miller

2. Largest Automobile Manufacturer Japan is the world’s largest automobile manufacturer and exporter by number of vehicles manufactured in a year. Japan also has three of the world’s ten largest automobile manufacturers. Japan is not only involved in automobiles but power sports too like Kawasaki and Yamaha, and Heavy equipment manufacturers Kubota, Komatsu, and Hitachi Heavy Industries. The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers include, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Suburu.

3. 1991 Exports and Market In 1991 Japan produced 9.7 million automobiles which made them the largest producer in the world. The United States were not far behind with 5.4 million automobiles produced. Just under 46% of the japanese output was exported.

4. Mazda™( マズダ ) Corporation In 2007 Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles in global sales. The majority of this being exported in Japan. 1962- Mazda Carol 360. First car made by Mazda.

5. Toyota™( トヨタ） Corporation The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda. In 1934 Toyota Industries created its first product Type A engine. Two years later it’s first passenger car, the Toyota AA.

6. Honda™ （ホンダ） Corporation The company manufactures, automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, scooters, robots, jets, atv’s, electical generators, marine engines, and lawn and garden equipment. Being the 5th largest automobiles manufacturer in the world. They make 14 million internal combustion engines a year. It is currently lead by Takeo Fukui. The civic and accord were in the top five list of sales last year.

7. Nissan™ （ニッサン） Corporation This companies main offices are located in Tokyo, Japan. Also manufacturing the Infiniti brand. They are the third largest Japanese car manufacturer in the United States. Nissan focuses on futuristic designs like the one shown below.

8. Mitsubishi™ （ミツビシ） Corporation During the Second World War, Mitsubishi manufactured aircrafts, under the leadership of Jiro Horikoshi. It is now currently the sixth largest automobiles maker in Japan, and the 17th largest worldwide. They first advertised their company with model A in 1917 as shown below.

9. Suburu™( スブル） Corporation Known for the use of boxer engines in most of their vehicles. The company decided to utilize all-wheel drive in all automobile exports. It is also known for off-road racing with a Suburu rally car.

10. Timeline of the Japanese Car Industry ･ 1907 - Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd. Established ･ 1911 - Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works established ･ 1917 - Mitsubishi Motors 1st car ･ 1918 - Isuzu 1st car ･ 1924 -1927 Otomo ･ 1931 - Mazda Mazdago - by Toyo Kogyo corp, later Mazda ･ 1935 - Toyota 1st car ･ 1937 - Suzuki 1st prototypes ･ 1952-1966 Prince Motor Company (integrated into Nissan) ･ 1954 - Subaru 1st car ･ 1963 - Honda 1st car ･ 1967 - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) is founded ･ 1986 - Acura is launched in the US by Honda ･ 1989 - Lexus is launched in the US by Toyota ･ 1989 - Infiniti is launched in the US by Nissan ･ 2003 - Scion is launched by Toyota ･ 2008 - Toyota surpasses General Motors to become the worlds largest car manufacturer

11. Quiz 1. Name three of Japan’s Automobiles Manufacturers. 2. How many Automobiles did Japan produce in 1991? 3. Who was not far behind Japan in Automobile Production. 4. Who wants to write a Japanese Manufacturers name in katakana. 5. Name one first cars that we listed in the six car manufacturers.