Have you ever been driving down the road, and suddenly, you see someone driving a car with the steering wheel on the left-hand side? This can be quite startling if you’re not expecting it. It turns out that there are many such vehicles in Japan, and they’re called JDM cars, which stands for Japanese Domestic Market Cars.
However, not all JDM cars are right-hand drives. So I wanted to answer the question in this article of whether or not all JDM cars are right-hand drives. Let’s find out together!
What does JDM mean?
JDM is an acronym for Japanese Domestic Market. It’s a term used to describe Japanese classic and collectible automobiles. Due to strict government safety regulations. Many of these cars never made it to market outside of Japan; as such, they’re rare and valuable among collectors.
JDM also refers to Japanese vehicles driven in countries that weren’t sold initially (e.g., Malaysia or Indonesia). Some of these models are so rare in their country of origin that they’re considered exotic, making them sought-after on international markets.
How many people in Japan drive RHD vehicles?
According to figures from 2012, there are currently 900,000 Right hand drive cars in Japan. For comparison’s sake, approximately one-third of 1% of Japan’s vehicle population. It’s a niche market with an even more, niche following.
Japan is home to over 6500 traffic accident fatalities per year, and according to a study conducted by Osaka University, Professor Hiroaki Ogawa shows that RHD vehicles cause more minor accidents.
So why don’t Japanese vehicle manufacturers export these so-called safer RHD models overseas? To answer that question, you first have to look at where most Japanese car exports come from Toyotas and Hondas.
What are some examples of Japanese RHD vehicles (not limited to cars)
Japanese Classic Cars are Right Hand Drive. Japanese automakers had a long history of making Right-Hand Drive vehicles before Japan’s switch from driving on the left side of the road.
Even today, you can still find RHD vehicles made before, during, and after Japan’s conversion to Left Side Driving, including popular models like Nissan Fairlady Z432, Toyota Crown, Subaru BRZ, Mazda 3, etc.
Where can I buy RHD vehicles that are not new but used?
There are several markets for used, classic, and exotic vehicles. Craigslist is a popular spot for deals to go down; check there regularly to see what’s available in your area. The internet also opens up a whole new world of buyer options.
Search Japanese classics for sale and browse everything from Skylines to Supras, RX-7s to NSXs. Be sure to set up alerts using sites like AutoTrader or Craigslist so you can get emails when something that fits your criteria becomes available in your area (or a nearby one). Buying online also opens up new opportunities since many dealerships sell their exotics online rather than physically delivering them.
Advantages of owning an older RHD vehicle
If you live in a country where drivers sit on the left side of their vehicles, then a classic, left-hand-drive Japanese car might seem like an indulgence. There are some obvious benefits to driving on what’s considered the wrong side of things. ut there are also some hidden advantages to consider as well.
These older models have better handling characteristics in some countries due to their lighter weight and narrower tires. They’re also designed with more creature comforts—things we’ve come to expect from modern cars but didn’t exist back when they were new.
Older Japanese cars also tend to be cheaper than newer ones because they’re not as popular outside Japan. And lastly, owning one is simply fun! It makes you feel like James Bond every time you get behind the wheel.
Advantages of owning a brand new left-hand vehicle
The biggest advantage of a brand new left-hand vehicle is that you can easily transfer your home insurance from your current (most likely not stolen) car to your left-hand vehicle. This means you don’t have to switch companies, keeping costs down and hassle minimum.
If you are buying with someone else, which is often recommended, you would need cover for both of your vehicles for at least one month; otherwise, there will be a massive fine if you drive without insurance! Even if only one person has insured their current car and wants to transfer that policy over to their new left-hand vehicle.
They must ensure it for another month after purchasing it. But why pay double insurance when buying with a partner or spouse?. You may also want to consider changing your car on finance, as many lenders won’t let you change from a right-hand drive to a left-hand drive unless you take out additional insurance.
However, most lenders allow you to change back again once your loan period ends, so in theory. It should be possible for some people to buy two cars – one right hand and one left hand – during their loan period by switching them every year or so, here you will learn about buying a car through online auction.
You may also want to consider changing your car on finance, as many lenders won’t let you change from a right-hand drive to a left-hand drive unless you take out additional insurance.
