Toyota And Nissan Admit Their American-Made Vehicles Aren't Up To Japanese Standards
Japanese buyers are not used to buying new cars that might have thin paint, panel gaps, or leftover residue.In an embarrassing twist of fate, American-made vehicles imported to Japan from Toyota and Nissan come with a notice for buyers—the quality might not be up to par with what Japanese buyers expect.
Last year, US President Donald Trump signed a trade agreement that opened the island nation to US-made vehicles. Toyota and Nissan are now shipping the American-made Tundra, Highlander, and Murano to the island nation, but they might have defects domestic buyers aren’t used to seeing.
The notice on the Murano states (translated) that "this vehicle is manufactured to specifications intended for overseas markets and differs in quality standards applied to vehicles destined for the Japanese domestic market."
The notice continues, stating that the SUV may have dust particles in the paint, traces of sealant residue, or misaligned or uneven panels and gaps. Thankfully, Nissan notes, "These differences do not affect the vehicle’s functionality or performance, so you may use it with confidence."
Toyota has a similar warning on the Tundra and Highlander, stating that the paint finishes are "designed for overseas markets" and that customers may notice thin paint, color variations, polishing marks, and dents.
https://www.motor1.com/news/799581/toyota-nissan-us-import-models-poor-quality/