Gasoline demand in Japan drops for first time in 32 years

Sweet! Finally looks like change is in the air!

 

I thought there was something funny about that number (which works out at 0.5 litres per capita!) and when I looked it up, it seems there's been a mistake in translation. The actual figure is 60 million KILOLITERS. If you can read Japanese, here's the link.

http://fseibi.jp/document/eco/

There are 79 million cars on the road, which makes for a per vehicle consumption of 760 liters.

Its good to see the total come down. Lots of Japanese tv commercials for small cars now explicitly mention fuel economy. It's a noticable change.

The mini-vehicles that the Canadian report refers to have 660cc engines. These vehicles are often less economical than sub-compacts like the Vitz and Fit, but they are popular because they are cheap to insure and they get big tax breaks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SanZan @ Feb 11 2007, 10:27 PM) [snapback]388397[/snapback]</div>

The 79 million number includes diesel cars.
We also consume 40 million Kliters of diesel fuel.

Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 11 2007, 09:41 PM) [snapback]388549[/snapback]</div>

depends on where you drive it. 1.8 is fine on the highway at higher speeds, but in the city and stop and go traffic, thats where smaller engines win.

For instance, 1.0 Yaris can average 2l/100km less than 1.3l Yaris easily...

 

This is great news. As technology advances we should se more and more effcient cars. I applaud Japan for succeeding in this effort. I wonder when we will see this in US. I think we're a long way of, but maybe if you measure the big cities (like NY, LA and Chicago) alone you will see it sooner?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 11 2007, 03:41 PM) [snapback]388549[/snapback]</div>

You should also know that in Japan the highest speed limit is 100 kph. It is quite easy to use a small engine and change the gearing to allow for acceleration and a overdrive gear for cruising at 100 kph.

 

Well, the Prius went on sale in 1997. They sell several hybrids, including I believe a minivan. So it's taken 10 years of car sales for hybrids to finally show an effect on the gasoline market.

It would take a lot longer in the U.S.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Feb 12 2007, 04:40 PM) [snapback]389110[/snapback]</div>

Most of these cars are only used for around town errands, you won't see them on the expressways. These cars are easily spotted as they all have yellow license plates, they are known as mini cars in Japan, and are inexpensive to buy and own compared to full size cars. They are also known as death traps pretty much!

In Japan the most popular recent car is the Honda Fit, which is a good size car in Japan, bigger than the mini cars. Here in the US when I see a Fit on the road I think how small it looks!

Dave

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Feb 13 2007, 07:06 AM) [snapback]389128[/snapback]</div>

This is not true any more.
We do have the Crash Safety Regulations for K-cars(mini) too.
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/tech/taf/index.htm
http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/tech/sofi/index.htm

That's old news in 2002.

The recent sales history is...
2003
Toyota Corolla 198,904
Honda Fit 182,285

2004
Toyota Corolla 173,301
Honda Fit 149,503

2005
Toyota Corolla 149,810
Toyota Vitz(Yaris) 131,935
Honda Fit 125,894

2006
Toyota Corolla 143,176
Toyota Vitz(Yaris) 117,641
Honda Fit 101,793

Ken@Japan