Japanese brands are losing their grip on the Australian market.
We’re up against it in competing with new car manufacturers from China.
Fall out of Australia’s top 10 places.
Did Toyota really say “no” to two of its most well-known models in Australia for 2024?
The cool Toyota hybrids, as it seems, won’t sell like hotcakes here in Australia
G’day, Kia Picanto! Keep an eye out, ’cause tiny Suzuki hybrids might soon be the cheapest cars in Aus and oust the old MG3
better compete?
Here’s our favourites which we still can’t believe aren’t sold by these brands in Aussie land.
Nissan Note
SUVs.
There’s still plenty of juice left in this section (for the right vehicle).
Power output is a total of 85kW and 280Nm.
which bothered with pricing competitiveness with rival electric vehicles, particularly later on in its run. A base Note hybrid in Japan starts from the equivalent of $30k.
Dodging the price war as the Korean brand shifts to importing the next model of its widely popular hatchback range from Europe, leaving a gap that as yet hasn’t been exploited by Chinese competitors.
Learn more about the Nissan Note here
Toyota Alphard
Kia Carnival.
What could turn its fortunes around? A start would be offering Toyota customers what they’re actually looking for in the people mover space, the Alphard.
As a sought-after luxury people mover in Asia, the Alphard (and its sporty Vellfire variant) isn’t a budget-friendly option, with the top-of-the-range Executive Lounge models expected to cost at least $90,000. The base 2.5-litre hybrid models start from around $65,000 in Japan (approximately $75,000 when it arrives in Australia).
For now at least, the Alphard remains one of Australia’s most popular grey imports, despite a recent example costing over $130,000 from a private seller.
Read more about the Toyota Alphard here
Toyota Crown
power.
is a fair one.
Running the price tag upwards of AU$50,000 for a basic fuel-saver hybrid model. The more impressive version, with a pricetag topping over $60,000 is the all-wheel drive e-Four Advanced model which uses the new 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid system found only in certain Lexus products in Australia.
It’d be a big loss for Aussies to miss out on this iconic motor from the brand, and one that takes design in a fresh direction with its crossover shape and upmarket interior.
It’s a safer bet. Either option seems unlikely to strengthen Toyota’s local model range in the short term.
Learn more about the Toyota Crown here
Suzuki Hustler
Outside of these two models though, the brand has a bit of trouble.
is feeling its age.
What could shake things up in this lineup? The local managers have often said they’d like to give more Aussie eyesight to Suzuki’s Japanese selection, which includes hot rods like the Spacia city-sized MPV, Lapin hatch, and of course, the popular Hustler mini crossover.
Which could make it a ripper of a motor and a real joy to drive as well.
It’d be a fitting substitute for the Ignis in the brand’s local range, as the Hustler, even when equipped with the turbo MHEV, floats around the $20,000 price point in Japan.
Test and potential issues with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) compliance are likely to hold Japanese city cars back from an Australian launch, so it remains to be seen if Suzuki is willing to take a chance with all its talk about introducing more Japanese-sourced models.
Learn more about the Suzuki Hustler here
Mitsubishi Delica
The company has said they’ll definitely bring the Delica over to Australia, but it won’t be this one, they’ll likely import the next-generation model, probably the one previewed by the Delica D:X concept that was shown back in 2023.
Whether you like it or not, it’s surprising the brand’s limited current offerings haven’t been boosted by the current D:5 model, which would have been a good fit for our market here.
A four-wheel drive system, but it could’ve been reasonably priced, too, and compatible with the brand’s current lineup, sharing a lot of hardware and interior components.
Fair dinkum, we reckon it’s too late for the current model, so what’s in store for the next gen one?
It’s promising that the brand has said it needs export markets like Australia to give the green light for the development of the next-generation Delica, but the last-minute decision to pull out of new models for our market isn’t unusual for the brand. Taking a punt on the once-promising eKX electric city car didn’t quite pay off for us, despite the brand investing time and effort into seeing if it could work.
Affordable enough to be competitive in Australia.
Check out the Mitsubishi Delica here
