While we're fortunate to be treated to a weekly look at American auto auctions courtesy of TTAC's Steve Lang and his Hammer Time series, today we're getting a glimpse of an auction on the other side of the world.
Prof. Mike Smitka of Washington & Lee University posted an entry at his own Autos & Economics blog, detailing his trip to an auction near Osaka, Japan. Smitka outlines the differences between American and Japanese auctions, and explains the economics behind Japan's used car market.
With annual inspections occurring at the ten-year mark, there is usually a flood of 8-year old cars being scrapped or exported. Some years ago, the rather rigorous standards were relaxed, which in turn allowed owners to keep their cars for longer. Even still, there is less supply of older vehicles, and they are usually exported to Pakistan or Russia. Contrast that to America, where the average vehicle age is around 11 years old.
That of course, is bad news for new car sellers, who could typically rely on a steady stream of consumers replacing their cars every decade or so. But as Smitka shows in another post, that trend doesn't look like it can continue. Between higher consumption taxes, shrinking demographics and a need to trim streamline the OEM retail channels, Japan's new car market – and its auto industry overall – look to be facing some major changes in the near future.
from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA
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