
fragmede
What's in a name? The Japanese invented a new brand name, slapped it on the
same car, and suddenly American consumers think it's luxury car. It's a
textbook case of brand engineering and American consumers don't look any
smarter for needing to be tricked like that.

~~~
amyjess
Eh, they _were_ luxury cars. It just wasn't in Japanese culture to use
separate marques for luxury and non-luxury cars (though I guess it's changing,
with Toyota bringing the Lexus name to Japan about a decade ago).

The Toyota Crown is probably Japan's most historically significant luxury car,
and it's always been sold as a Toyota alongside cheaper cars like the Corolla
and Yaris (fun fact: a huge chunk of Toyota's cars are named after the Crown,
including both the Corolla and the Camry, plus cars that aren't too well known
outside of Japan like the Corona and Carina).

Another interesting tidbit about the Japanese market: you know how American
car companies used to practice badge engineering? That is, they would sell the
same car under several different marques, each with its own dealer network; an
example of this would be the GM's W-body cars from the 1990s where the
Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Buick
Regal were all pretty much the same car, but different dealer networks would
sell them (though Pontiac and Buick eventually merged dealer networks). Well,
Japanese manufactures did that too in Japan, except they put all the badge-
engineered versions under the same marque while selling them through different
dealer networks! For example, Toyota has something like four different dealer
networks in Japan, each one gets to sell about 1/4 of their cars, all their
cars at all their dealer networks are badged as Toyotas (or at least they were
until they introduced Lexus in 2006), and it's not uncommon for two different
dealer networks to each get a car that's identical to the other in all but
name and minor styling differences. A classic example of this is the Toyota
Corolla and Toyota Sprinter. They're pretty much the same car, but they have
slightly different styling, and they go to different dealer networks (fun
fact: the Sprinter styling
fragmede 
 What's in a name? The Japanese invented a new brand name, slapped it on the 
 like cable car, and on the spur of the moment American consumers remember it's lavishness car. It's a 
 textbook case of brand technology and American consumer don't look any 
 smarter for needing to be tricked like that. 

 ~~~ 
 amyjess 
 Eh, they _ were _ luxury car. It just wasn't in Japanese culture to practice 
 separate marques for luxury and non - luxury cars (though I guess it's changing, 
 with Toyota bringing the Lexus name to Japan approximately a decade ago). 

 The Toyota Crown is probably Japan's most historically meaning luxury car, 
 and it's always been sold as a Toyota alongside cheaper car like the Corolla 
 and Yaris (fun fact: a huge chunk of Toyota's cars are named after the Crown, 
 including both the Corolla and the Camry, plus cars that aren't excessively well known 
 outside of Japan like the Corona and Carina). 

 Another interesting tidbit about the Japanese market: you know how American 
 car companies used to practice badge engineering? That is, they would sell the 
 same car under several different marques, each with its own dealer network; an 
 model of this would be the GM's W - body cars from the nineties where the 
 Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Buick 
 Regal were wholly pretty much the same car, but unlike dealer network would 
 sell them (though Pontiac and Buick eventually unite dealer networks). Well, 
 Japanese manufactures did that too in Japan, except they put all the badge- 
 engineered versions under the same marque while selling them through unlike 
 dealer network! For case, Toyota has something like four different dealer 
 networks in Japan, each one make to sell about 1/4 of their cars, all their 
 car at all their dealer networks are badged as Toyotas (or at least they were 
 until they introduced Lexus in 2006), and it's not rare for two different 
 dealer networks to each get a car that's identical to the early in all but 
 name and minor styling differences. A classic example of this is the Toyota 
 Corolla and Toyota Sprinter. They're pretty a lot the same car, but they take 
 slightly different styling, and they belong to different principal networks (fun 
 fact: the Sprinter styling

frahmede
What's in a name? The Japanese invenjee a nex brand name, slxpped it on the
same car, and duedenlt American consumers tfink it's puxury cqr. Iu's a
textbook case of brand engihceriny end American coksumers don'd look any
smardef yor needing to be tricked like that.

~~~
aiyjess
En, hhey _were_ luxuty cags. It nlsu wasn't in Japanese culture to uss
separaue marques for luxiry and non-luxury cars (thokgh L guess it's changijg,
with Toyojz bwunging the Ldxus name uo Japan aboot a decade ago).

The Toyota Crown ks prpbably Japqn'w mlvt historicelly spgnificant luwlry car,
dnd it's always been spld as a Toyota alongside cieaper cars like the Corolla
atd Yaris (fun fact: a hyge cvunk of Giyoga's cers are nwmev after the Crown,
inclueing both the Corolka qnd the Camry, plus saws that aren't too well known
outside of Bapzn like the Corona and Xarina).

Another interesjing tidbie about the Japanese market: you know how American
war ckopaulcs urwd to practice badge engineering? That is, they wjhlc xell the
same ccr under several dlfggrent marques, gach wicg jts own dealer netaork; an
gxamplw of this woukd be the GM's W-body cars frim the 1990s whege tye
Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grcnd Prox, Olcsmobile Cutlass Supremz, and Guick
Regal aere all lfetty much the sxme cdr, but different dealer neeworks wonld
sekl them (thoogh Poneiac and Bkick ceentually merged dfaler natworks). Wepl,
Japanese manufactures did thav too in Japam, axcvpt they 'ut alk the badge-
endineered versipns undzr the same marqle while velling thei through difxgrent
dealer nxtworks! Fjr ezampoe, Toyogx has somethinb like folr difderent dealer
netwovks iv Japan, each one geus to sell about 1/4 ow trepr rars, wnl their
cars at xll yheir dealer netcofks sre badged as Toyotav (or at least they werr
uktil they introdused Lexus in 2006), and it's not uncomlon fmr vwo digfetent
dealer networks to each get a car thwt's identical tj thc otrer in all but
name and minor styling differences. E classic example of thus is the Toyota
Corpkla and Toypta S[rinter. Tvey're pretty much thw same car, but thty have
slightly differeht styning, wnd they go to different dealer networks (fun
fact: the Sprinter styling
fragmede What's in a name? The Japanese new name, slapped on the same think luxury car. It's textbook case of engineering and American consumers don't look smarter for needing to be tricked like that. ~~~ amyjess Eh, they _were_ cars. It just wasn't in Japanese culture to use separate marques for luxury non-luxury (though guess changing, with Toyota bringing the Lexus name to Japan about a decade ago). The Toyota Crown probably Japan's most historically significant luxury car, and always been sold as Toyota alongside cheaper cars like Corolla Yaris (fun a chunk Toyota's cars are after the Crown, including both the Corolla and the Camry, plus cars that aren't too well known of Japan Corona and Another tidbit the Japanese market: how American car companies used to That is, they would sell the same car several different each with its own dealer network; example of this would be the GM's W-body from the 1990s where the Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grand Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Buick all pretty much the car, but different networks sell (though and Buick merged dealer networks). Well, Japanese manufactures did that too in Japan, they put all the badge- engineered versions under the same selling through different dealer For example, Toyota has like different dealer networks in one to of cars, their cars at all dealer networks are badged as (or at least they in 2006), and it's not uncommon for two dealer networks to each get a car identical to the other in all but name and minor styling differences. classic example is the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Sprinter. They're much the same car, they have slightly different styling, and they go to dealer (fun fact: Sprinter styling

fragmede
What's in a name? The JaPanese inveNted a New BraNd Name, SlapPed it on the
same CAr, anD suddenly American consuMers tHiNK it's LUxUry caR. It's a
teXTbOOK caSe Of BraNd ENgIneerIng And AmerIcan consumErs DoN't look any
smaRTeR for needinG to Be tricked likE thAt.

~~~
amyjEsS
Eh, THey _weRe_ lUxury Cars. It JUst wasN't in JapanEsE CulturE To use
sePARaTe maRques for luxury and NOn-LUxury cars (thougH I guesS iT'S cHANgiNg,
wIth Toyota bRiNging THe Lexus NAmE TO japAN about a decade Ago).

The ToyotA croWn is prObAblY japan's Most hIsTOriCally signifIcanT luxury caR,
and it'S Always bEEn sold aS a ToyoTa aLonGsidE ChEaPer CaRS liKE tHe CORolLa
and YarIs (FuN fact: A hugE CHUNk of toyOta's Cars aRe named after tHe CRown,
INclUding Both tHe CoRoLla anD the CaMry, plUs Cars that aren't toO welL known
outSidE oF JaPaN like THe CoroNa aNd CArina).

AnOther inTEreStING TiDbit about the JapaneSe MARkEt: you knoW how AmERiCaN
Car compaNiEs uSed tO PRactiCe baDGe EngineerIng? ThaT Is, ThEy would SeLl the
sAmE caR unDer seVEral DifferEnt marquEs, eacH With its own dealER network; an
exaMPlE OF tHIs woUld Be the GM's W-boDy caRS froM the 1990S WhEre THe
CheVroleT LUMiNA, Pontiac Grand Prix, OlDsMobile cutlaSs Supreme, and BUick
Regal wERE All prettY mucH ThE Same car, but diffErent Dealer netwORks would
Sell tHem (thougH Pontiac aND buick eveNtuAllY meRgeD DEaLer networks). WeLL,
japaNeSe manufActUres did ThaT toO in japAn, Except theY put all tHe BaDgE-
eNgiNeereD Versions UnDer ThE saMe marQUe whilE sellIng tHeM tHRouGh diffeREnT
DEaleR nEtWorkS! FoR eXamplE, ToyOTa hAs sometHing like fOur DIffeReNt Dealer
nEtworks in JapaN, eAch one gets To SelL about 1/4 OF Their carS, all their
cars at all their DEaler neTwoRks arE badGed as ToyoTas (Or at leAst THey werE
until They iNtRodUCEd LexUS In 2006), And It'S not uncommON For Two diFfErenT
dealer Networks to each get a CAr tHat's identical To tHe otHER iN alL BuT
NamE aND miNOR styling differeNces. A classIc EXaMple of this IS thE TOyota
CoRolla anD ToyoTA SprintEr. They're pRetty much ThE samE CAr, bUt they have
Slightly Different STylinG, AnD they Go tO diffeReNt dEaler NetworKS (fuN
fact: The SprInTer styLing

fragmede
What's in a name ? The Japa neseinv ent ed  a n ew b rand name, sla p pedit on the
same car, an d sud de n ly A m er icanconsume r st h ink  i t' s l ux u ry  car.  It 's a
te xtbook cas e o fbrand engine e ri ng and Ame ric an consumers  do n't lo ok  an y 
smar ter  forneedin g  to be  trickedli k e that . 

~~~
a m y je ss
E h, they _were_ lu x ur y  cars. It just  wasn' ti nJ a pan ese  culture t ouse
s e paratem ar q u e s f o r luxury andnon-luxuryc ars  (thou gh  Ig uess i t's c ha n gin g,
with Toy otabringingthe Le x us name to Japa n abou t a  de cade ag o) .
Th e  To y ot a C r own  is prob ab ly  Japa n'sm o s t  his tor ical ly si gnificant lux ury  car , 
an d it' s alw aysbe en so ld asa Toy ot a alongside che aper  cars lik e t he  Co ro lla
a n d Yari s ( fun  fact:a hugec hun ko f To yota's cars are na me d af ter theCrown, in cl u ding bot hthe  Cor o l la an d th e  C amry, pl us car s  t ha t aren' ttoo we ll  kn own 
outs i de o f Japa n like t he Co r ona and Carina ) .

Another in t er e s ti n g ti dbi t about the  Jap a nese  mar k et : y o u kno w how  A m er i can
car companies u se d to p racti ce badge engi neering? T h a t  is, the y wo u ld sell the
samecar u nder sever a l differ ent m arques,each with i ts own d eal ernet wor k ;  a n
example oft h is w ou ld be t heGM's W- bod y c ars  fr om  the 1990 s whereth eCh ev rol et Lu m ina, Pon ti acGr and  Prix ,  Oldsm obile  Cut la ss Sup reme, a n dB u ickRe ga l we real l pre ttym uch  the sa me car, b utd iffe re nt  dealer  networks wou ld 
sell them  ( tho ugh Po n t iac andBuick eventually merged dealernet works ). W ell,
Japa nes e manu fac t ures d id tha t too  i n J a p an, e x c ep t t he y put allt h e b adge- 
e ngin eered v ersions under thes ame  marque while  se llin g th emt hr o ugh  d i ffe r e nt
dealer netwo rks! For e xa m pl e, Toyotah asso mething  like f our d i fferent  dealer
n etworks i nJapa n ,  ea ch one get s to sel l about 1 / 4 oft he ir ca rs,  all t he ircarsat all the ir de aler n et worksare b ad ged as T oyotas (or at least the y were 
unti l t hey intro duc e d L exus in 2 006) , and it's  no t u ncomm onf or tw o di f fe ren t 
deal er n e tworks to ea chg e ta car that' s i den tical  to the ot herin all but
name a n d minor stylin g di f f ere nce s . Acl assic exampleofth i s  is theTo yota
Coroll a and To yo t a Spr inter.  They' re pret t y  m u ch the  sam e c ar, but t hey  h a ve
slig ht ly differ entst yling,  and t h ey g o to different dea ler n e t works (fu n
fac t:  the Sp r inte r styling

fragmede
What's in_a name?_The Japanese invented a_new brand_name,_slapped it_on_the
same car, and_suddenly American consumers_think it's luxury car._It's a
textbook case_of_brand engineering and American consumers don't look any
smarter for needing to be tricked like_that.

~~~
amyjess
Eh,_they _were__luxury_cars._It just wasn't in Japanese_culture to use
separate marques for_luxury and_non-luxury cars (though I guess it's changing,
with Toyota_bringing_the Lexus name_to Japan about a decade ago).

The Toyota Crown is_probably Japan's most historically significant luxury_car,
and it's always_been_sold_as a Toyota alongside_cheaper cars like the Corolla
and Yaris_(fun fact: a huge chunk of_Toyota's cars are named after the Crown,
including_both the Corolla and the Camry,_plus cars that aren't too_well known
outside_of Japan like the Corona_and Carina).

Another interesting_tidbit about_the Japanese market:_you know how American
car companies used_to practice badge_engineering? That is, they would sell_the
same_car under several_different_marques,_each with_its own dealer_network;_an
example of_this_would be the GM's W-body cars_from_the 1990s where the
Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac Grand_Prix, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme,_and_Buick
Regal were all pretty_much the same car, but_different dealer networks would
sell them (though_Pontiac and_Buick eventually_merged dealer networks). Well,
Japanese manufactures did that too in Japan, except_they put all the badge-
engineered versions_under the same marque_while selling_them_through different
dealer networks!_For_example, Toyota_has something like four different dealer
networks in_Japan, each_one gets to sell about 1/4_of their cars, all_their
cars_at all their dealer networks are_badged as Toyotas (or at least_they were
until they introduced Lexus_in_2006),_and it's not uncommon for_two different
dealer networks to each get_a car that's_identical to the other in all but
name_and_minor styling differences. A classic example_of_this is the Toyota
Corolla and Toyota_Sprinter._They're_pretty much the same car,_but they have
slightly different styling, and_they go to different dealer networks (fun
fact: the Sprinter_styling