Hope the summer heat isn’t getting to you.  It is hot and humid in Japan.  How did I ever make it in this heat as a child when we didn’t have A/C?  Anyway, today, I want to talk about Porsches.  My aunt use to tell me how much she liked Porsches.  In America a lot of people pronouce it as “Porsh”.  Most people don’t sound out the “e” at the end but the proper pronunciation requires the “e” to be sounded.  In Japan they say “Po Lu Shae”.  Believe it or not Porsche is a popular car in Japan despite the large selection of sporty Japanese made cars.

I spoke to an importer from the U.K. and asked what he thought the best sports car was?  He said, “I’ve owned a Lambo and other high end cars but I think the best sports car to own is the Porsche”.  I was surprised with his answer and asked, “Why?”  He said it was because he believes they are the most practical sports car available in the market.  Easy to get in and out and you can actually go grocery shopping with it because there is decent amount of space for your stuff.  Plus, the maintenance cost is not as expensive as other sports cars like the Veyron.  The Veyron will cost you 21,000 dollars and up for an oil change.  LOL!  Minor maintenance such as an oil change and filter will cost you 200 dollars to 400 dollars.  A major repair like transmission service will cost 400 dollars to 600 dollars.

Veyron

So where is a good place to buy a nice used Porsche?  The car auctions in Japan of course.  Most people don’t run the cars hard but more as a economic status.  You can get them at a really reasonable price.  Infact, we have customers that import them back into Germany.  Can you believe it?  A car that came from Germany makes it’s way back home to where it came from!

Apart from a name that doesn’t stick around in the brain memory banks very long (try remembering it’s name in 5 minutes time?), the range of this newer model seems quite good.  Youtube promotion for the British/London area is in miles, but still if you work it out into kms, quite substantial.

Thank God it’s Friday!  Today is Forklift Friday!  I want to talk a little about forklifts today!  Forklifts are essential to many businesses.  There’s quite a few forklift companies out there.  So which company is the best?  Here are the top 5!

• Toyota Industries Corp. $8.78 billion. Longtime leader in the industry.  (Japan)
• The KION Group. $5.924 billion. (Germany)
• The Jungheinrich Group. $4.25 billion.(Germany)
• Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd. $3.7 billion. (Japan)
• Crown Equipment Corp. $2.9 billion (U.S.A)

As you can see the top 5 forklifts company consists of German, Japan and USA.  Some might say that it doesn’t matter what brand you get but that is not true at all.  You need to put into consideration of the following when buying a forklift.

1. Load capacity.
2. Lift height.
3. Fuel type.
4. Hand Pallet Jack (Lift Truck)
5. Electric Pallet Jack (Lift Truck)
6. Manual Stacker.
7. Walk Behind Electric Pallet Stacker.
8. Order Picker.

This is my personal opinion but if I were buying I would choose one that would have a better resale value.  You never know when you will need to upgrade as your business grows.  Or perhaps you might have to down grade.  Either was you want to make sure you get the biggest return when you have to sell your forklift.  Typically Chinese forklifts do not get the best return so I would recommend the forklifts mention at the top.

We at Provide Cars Ltd. help customers buy used forklifts at the Japanese auctions.  Typically if you are buying 1.5 ton size forklifts we can fit 7 to 9 forklifts in one 40 foot high cube shipping container.  Most forklift auctions are on Tuesdays and Thursday.  If you are curious and have any questions let us know.  You can get a nice forklift at a great price!

Many of us know that the Toyota is the best hybrid car on the market.  Sales of the Prius continue to grow despite electric vehicles coming on to the market.  The Toyota Prius will be the go to car for awhile as it continues to get better in every aspect from handling to gas mileage.  What is so great about the Prius PHV is that even when you put it in EV Mode and Power Mode the battery doesn’t seem to decrease much.  It’s advertised to go 68km on EV mode but in reality it goes about 47km which is still great!

Did I mention that you can charge the battery at home?

Wait, did I mention that you can get one with a solar panel that will charge the battery as well?

How about getting an extra 1000 km a year on solar power?  Yes, please and thank you!

The interior has a nice comfy feel to it.

The trunk has decent space for luggage and groceries.

If you’re wondering where you can get one you can get one at the Japanese auto auction at a great price.  If you have never imported a car ask Provide Cars.  Get a hold of our owner ,Jon, at [email protected]  He will assign someone to contact you and help you every step of the way.  If you want to talk to someone just call us at +81 798 75 1451.  You won’t regret it!

When you hear the word “cars” what do you think of?  The movie, “Cars”?

OK, what else?  SPEED!  Racing!   So which car is currently the fastest street legal car in the world?

According to sources the Hennessey Venom F5`s top speed was 301 mph.  But the Hennessey has yet to confirm the speed with the Guinness Book of World Records.  What can tell you is that it costs $1.6 million US dollars.  I’m sure many of us can afford it?  I don’t think so.

But let’s not get discouraged yet.  There are affordable and fast cars out there.  Here’s a list of them.

1. Toyota Celsior

Considered to be one of the most reliable cars on the market.  A 1994 model with under 84,000 miles sold for $650 USD at the Japanese auto auction.

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2. Volvo V70R

Don’t be fooled by it’s station wagon look.  This baby produces 300 horse power!  Was sold for less than $1000 USD at Japanese auto auction.

3.  Nissan Fairlady Z

You can snag one for less than $4000 USD in great condition.  I remember doing almost 120mph on the highway once.  Don’t do it on a rainy day like I did.  Always drive safe ; )

4.  Nissan Skyline 350GT

Another Nissan that gives you speed for the best bang for your buck. How much you ask?  You can get one for less than $1000 USD at the Japanese auto auction.

This is a short list of some of the affordable cars that are available.  However, there are dozens and dozens of more affordable and fast cars at the auto auctions.  Some of you are probably skeptical of the prices quoted in this blog.  I don’t see any point of lying but If you want to find out for yourself sign up for a free trial with Provide Cars Ltd.  Go to www.providecars.co.jp and click on the Sign Up tab.  You will be assigned to one of the staff members so feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

If you have been to Japan you have probably seen the following stickers on cars.  Each sticker has specific meanings and helps new and experienced drivers on the road.　Knowing who you are driving behind could help drivers become more aware and cautious.  Who knows, it could probably help road rage as too.

1. Wakaba/Shoshinsha Mark – Beginner’s sticker

When you first obtain a driver’s license, you are required to place this mark on both the front and back side of your vehicle for one year. It’s called the 若葉(wakaba – green leaf) or 初心者(shoshinsha – beginner) mark in Japanese.

2. Koreisha/Momiji/Yotsuba Mark – Senior Driver Sticker

It is recommended that drivers over the age of 70 or older should attach this sticker, but anyone over age 75 is required to attach this sticker to their vehicle. The tear-drop shaped version is called the 紅葉(Momiji – or “Autumn leaves”) in Japanese and was instituted in 1997. In 2011, the 四葉 (Yotsuba – four-leaf clover) version was introduced to replace the previous Momiji sticker.

3. Choukaku Shougai Mark – Hearing Impaired Driver Sticker

Hearing impaired drivers should attach this sticker to their vehicles. It is called a 聴覚障害 (choukaku shougai – hearing impaired) mark in Japanese.

4. Shintai Shougai Mark – Handicapped Driver Sticker

Handicapped drivers should attach this sticker to their vehicles. It is called the 身体障害 (shintai shougai – physical impairment) mark in Japanese.

Mitsubishi is known for making anything from pencils, air conditioning units, chemicals, materials and airplanes.

As most of you know Mitsubishi also makes cars.  I would not say that they make top of the line vehicles compared to Toyota or Honda but there are models that I really like.  Especially the Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear.  This one is a 1997 model that is being sold at the Japanese auto auction.  In recent years we, Provide Cars Ltd., have been shipping them to Canada quite a bit.  The off road look makes you want to take it on a camping trip where there might be rough terrain.  I drove one a couple of years ago when I visited family in Okinawa, Japan.  The engine had plenty of power and the ride was very pleasant.

Looking a few years back, if this was available back in the U.S. I would have purchased one.  I currently drive a Toyota Estima but it could be my next vehicle in the next couple of years.  The Japanese auto auction have plenty of Delica Space Gears available for sale.  If you want to get more information check out our website www.providecars.co.jp

Jeep is a distinct on and off road vehicle.  It was used by the military in World War II.  According to sources the word “jeep” was used as a military slang for new recruits or vehicles.  Now, civilians around the world enjoy this unique form of transportation and entertainment.  You can find them at beaches, camping grounds, the country, towns and cities.  Jeep fans all over the world modify and upgrade their Jeeps  by slapping on unique stickers, putting on all terrain tires, adding lift kits for higher clearance, putting on tubular bumpers and so much more.  With so many options you can make your Jeep look totally different from anyone else’s.  Perhaps this is why Jeeps are so popular and holds it’s value than most vehicles.

The Jeep has been imitated by many motor companies around the world.  The Land Rover was inspired by the Jeep.  Toyota, Mitsubishi, Delahaye and Hotchkiss have produced Jeeps as well.  Despite attempts by other companies the original Jeep is the most popular one that is still in production.  Of the Jeep brand the most popular model is the Jeep Wrangler.  The Jeep Wrangler is 100% manufactured in Toledo, Ohio.

There is something unique about Jeeps that are imported into Japan.  After they have been driven for a few years here in Japan they find a new home somewhere overseas.  One might ask, “Why would I want to buy a used Jeep from Japan instead of the US?”  The answer is simple.  Vehicles are cared for more here in Japan.  They are inspected every two years as well because it is the law in Japan.  My good friend and client who lives in the UK purchases many Jeeps from Japan.  The prices are very reasonable and the quality is great.  Are you looking for a used Jeep?  Consider getting one from Japan.