Automobiles, especially imported ones, are bypassed because they are considered luxury items. That is why imported cars are hardest hit. Imported cars are more popular in affluent urban areas, where they are less of a necessity and more of a status symbol, whereas in rural areas, that are not so well served by public transport, the family car is just a means of getting around. In addition, urban residents tend to have higher incomes and fewer assets than rural residents. So when the economy takes a downturn they are likely to put off making any big purchases and save their money instead.
Corporate clients tend to buy cars manufactured by their keiretsu partners.
They vary because we offer different types of vehicles. First of all, we have Mini series cars that account for 20-30 percent of our total sales in Japan. Our sports-utility vehicles are the Discovery and Range Rover series. The Mini Cooper will also be among exhibits at the 1998 British Motor Show, to be held in October in Yokohama, as one of the models that has become part of the history of British cars. Yes, I think that is peculiar to Japan.