Automobiles

Before 1973, most cars built in the United States were large and showy – a reflection of the prosperity and style that Americans liked to flaunt. The 1973 OPEC oil embargo changed all that for good, however, and Americans found themselves suddenly concerned with better fuel economy.

Japanese automobiles became popular almost overnight after that when their smaller, more streamlined and fuel-efficient cars came into much demand. Japanese cars such as Toyotas, Datsuns (later called Nissans) and Mitsubishis became as common on American roads as Chryslers, Fords, and Chevrolets. The Japanese automobile export business boomed, and Japan not only exported more automobiles, but began to build automobile manufacturing plants in the United States as well.

Japanese exporting and manufacturing of automobiles remains a thriving business today, even though the United States eventually joined in the “fuel efficient car” bandwagon. Japanese technology has kept their automobiles competitive in the world market, and many American-made cars use Japanese technology, as well as actual Japanese-made auto parts, in their construction.