Car Spotting Tips: How to spot a JDM import
Have you ever wondered whether the Japanese-branded car you’re looking at, is actually built in Japan or was imported from there?
Here is my theory on how observing one simple area might help you conclude on whether the model you’re looking at originated truly from Japan.
It's simple: Look at the license plate designs, front and back.
In Japan, cars have their license plates arranged in a square of this design. Compared to the standard design which typically consists in most countries, of a more wider plate, the square-design is unique to the majority of cars originally manufactuered in Japan. As such, cars originally made for the JDM have placeholders designed to specifically hold these plate designs. Notice how the region on the rear bumper where the plate is meant to be fitted correlates with the general shape/dimensions of the Japanese plates?
This theory works here in Hong Kong for me. JDM imports, such as the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Noah/Crown, or Suzuki Swift are easily distinguished as originating from Japan due to their use of the Japanese-style plates compared to standard lengthy plates commonly used by European models.
Comments
Here’s a hint. If it’s a riced out Civic with “98 IMPORT” across the top of the windscreen. It’s most likely not an import
Definitely doesn’t work here in the States, where our plates are the same shape, but and interesting point nonetheless
I see what you mean. This largely works and only applies to spotting JDM models within Asia or Europe.
How to spot an import, pop the hood and look at the VIN plate. Should have the country of origin.
Another common trick is to note down the trim designation (as some specifically only apply to Japan) or how certain features are named (e.g in Nissan’s VDC is the JDM way of saying ESC)