Why Do Americans Prefer Japanese Cars - Assignment Example

The Americans want economy and performance. They see the features of the car and the Japanese are ahead in this respect. Also, the Japanese are ahead because of their capability to meet customers' demands. The Americans liked their cars with a "swagger and attitude" (Americans Still Think Japanese Cars Best, 2007). The Japanese cars provided just that. While the domestic cars did not fare so badly at 29%, it was the Japanese car that gave the clear lead at 44%. The Japanese car models were clear winners because of their eye for details.

The Americans were impressed with the capability of Japanese cars to perform for longer periods at lower costs. The Japanese cars were closely followed by American models. The Americans, by and large, prefer cars' performance over their nationality. The American models lacked in the strategy of staying a step ahead in the competition although they were adept at closing the gap once foreign cars established the lead. However, that is all that the American models succeeded in achieving. They could not overtake the lead.

Having closed the gap, the American models still failed to supersede the foreign cars in the areas of economy and performance, "Eighty-five percent of foreign car owners said they were very satisfied with their cars, while eight in 10 owners of American cars were very satisfied" (Americans Still Think Japanese Cars Best, 2007). The American models lacked in the strategy of staying a step ahead in the competition although they were adept at closing the gap once foreign cars established the lead.

However, that is all that the American models succeeded in achieving. They could not overtake the lead.Having closed the gap, the American models still failed to supersede the foreign cars in the areas of economy and performance, "Eighty-five percent of foreign car owners said they were very satisfied with their cars, while eight in 10 owners of American cars were very satisfied" (Americans Still Think Japanese Cars Best, 2007). The American models were close second even in this respect. It appears the American models have been done because of the inability of the manufacturers to align with the buyers' demands and also the devil-may-care attitude of the American buyers.

The Americans are cagey about models that appear inferior.The cost-conscious Americans also believed in a better economy and chose to purchase second hand and well-maintained Japanese cars over brand new domestic models. "It's more attractive financially to obtain a car directly from Japan, even when you include the extra fees and monies you pay for shipping and taxes. It's simply cheaper to buy a car directly from Japan than it is to buy a similar car made in the U.S. Another reason behind this great demand of Used Japan cars is that Japanese drivers are careful to maintain their car cosmetically and mechanically so virtually all cars put up for sale or export will be in great condition" (Advantages of Buying Used Japan Cars, 2008).