Chances of other pickup trucks being sold in Japan?

"Galapagosized Guy" (galapagosizedautomotive)
01/10/2018 at 00:28 • Filed to: pickup truck, pickup trucks, trucks, japan, japanese, jdm

8th-generation Toyota Hilux, overall. Toyota’s revered luxurious pickup truck was revived in Japan 13 years after demise.

Pickup trucks. They’re one of the most-recognized vehicle categories around the world, and they’re the major players in Americas, Oceania and Southeast Asia, as well as a climbing category in Europe. However, they’re an already-extinct vehicle category in Japan, with all vehicle models have been axed off JDM from 1990s to 2004.

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The preference for station wagons and cab-over vehicles, the hatred for pickup trucks, combined with the incompatible regulations in Japanese laws, have contributed to the extinction of pickup trucks in Japan. Therefore, the body style has fallen into obscurity among general Japanese buyers’ knowledge.

However, the 2017 revival of Toyota Hilux, a most-revered, luxurious pickup truck even in Japan before its 2004 demise, could mark the beginning of pickup truck revival in Japanese Domestic Market. The order list is more than expected, from the old owners and the diehard fans of the famed pickups. SUVs and minivans, which almostly pushed off station wagons in JDM, could pave more driving force for these bonnet-type trucks.

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With Toyota Hilux being revived in JDM, we might have a look on some Japanese-branded foreign-market pickup trucks having any chance of entering Japanese market.

1. Nissan NP300 Frontier/Navara

3rd-generation Nissan Frontier/Navara, post-Datsun Trucks era.

A pickup truck made by Nissan for most parts of global markets, the truck has now been in its 3rd generation D23 series. Even though the preceding D40 series is also sold in USA, it’s not sold in Japan, much to the surprise. However, given Mercedes-Benz’s good popularity in Japan, the D23 will get sold as its Mercedes-Benz X-Class luxury disguise other than its standard NP300 model.

Predecessor: The Nissan Datsun Truck series, got phased out since 2002.

Chances of getting sold in JDM: 10%-40%

2. Mitsubishi Triton

Fifth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, overall.

The preceding Triton was sold as a limited-edition vehicle in Japan from 2006 to 2011. The new generation Triton is not sold in Japan for now, but with the concepts and prototypes paving roads for hybrid models in the future, this would be a possibility for the Triton to return In Japanese market, although the future for the pickup truck market in Japan remains to be seen.

Chances of getting sold in JDM: 10%-40%

3. Isuzu D-Max

2nd-generation Isuzu D-Max, post-Rodeo era.

Sometimes called Rodeo, it’s sold in some parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, but since Isuzu quit the passenger vehicle market long ago, they have no plans for the pickup trucks to be sold in JDM, even though they’re premired for Tokyo Motor Show years ago. The chances for D-Max to get into JDM is very shallow, compared to the above two.

Predecessor: Isuzu Rodeo, who was killed off in 1994 in JDM.

Chances of getting sold in JDM: 0%-10%

4. Mazda BT-50

2nd-generation Mazda BT-50, post B-series era.

The less-known pickup truck made by Mazda, the truck is sold in South America, and parts of Asia as well as Australia, but it’s not sold in Japan. There are zero-chances of making it to the Rising Sun Land, given its global obscurity.

Predecessor: Mazda Proceed, who was killed off in 1999 in JDM.

Chances of getting sold in JDM: 0%

5. Honda Ridgeline

2nd-generation Honda Ridgeline.

Honda’s first bonnet-type pickup truck, it’s sold in North America for the Honda buyers who wanted a pickup truck. This is a cool truck from Honda, but given Honda’s lack of experience of making such types and lack of awareness on the category, no chances will Ridgeline be go JDM, even though the NSX hybrid sports car is also made in USA, for Japanese consumers ironically.

Chances of getting sold in JDM: 0%

Conclusion

With the Hilux being revived in Japan, this paved the road for the revival of bonnet-type pickup trucks in Japanese Domestic Market. Although they’re treated the worst in Japan, the strong sales of crossover SUVs and off-roaders, as well as global boom, have driven the contribution of bonnet-type truck revival. Even though the future of pickup trucks are uncertain in Japan, the diehard fans are also giving the bonnet-type trucks another Japanese chance. Time will tell if the pickup trucks will become a new boom again.

(This article refers only to the bonnet-type pickup trucks, not cab-over commercial trucks and 659cc micro-trucks.)

DISCUSSION (4)

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Galapagosized Guy
01/10/2018 at 02:01

None of the current generation of pickups are small enough or luxurious enough to warrant selling into the JDM. Also bear in mind that none of them are made there anymore. Conversely, the 75 series Land cruiser pick ups still are...

Galapagosized Guy > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
01/10/2018 at 02:19

They need alot of modifications and demands too. Currently, the demand isn’t enough to warrant though.

DiggerDan > Galapagosized Guy
10/06/2018 at 22:18

“ Currently, the demand isn’t enough to warrant. . .” I’m not surprised. The oversize pickups are gross and d is gusting, enough to make one vomit.

DownTheDori > Galapagosized Guy
08/22/2019 at 23:21

I’ve surprisingly seen a handful of reverse imported Ridgelines here in Japan. The favorite reverse import truck seems to be the Tundra though. You can find them kind of frequently in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. A few Sequoia’s are out there too!