[2024] Cars that are no longer on sale in Japan are actually still in use overseas!? A summary of models that are still on sale overseas

We’ve compiled a list of car models that have been discontinued in Japan as of 2024 (Reiwa 6) but are still being sold overseas. There are cases where a car model has been discontinued in the Japanese market but is still being sold overseas. In this article, we’ll explain these models and the circumstances behind them. Knowing this will make you feel like you’re seeing an acquaintance working hard in the distance, and you’ll think, “Wow, that guy’s still working hard over there!”

Toyota “C-HR”

Toyota announced on its official website on March 10, 2023 that domestic production and sales of the C-HR will end in late July 2023. From the second-generation C-HR onwards, the model will be sold exclusively overseas.

The new second-generation C-HR takes the outstanding quality and status of its predecessor to an even higher level with avant-garde design, advanced technology and a range of electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains that combine to deliver improved power and drivability. This reinforces Toyota’s commitment to Europe, as the new model was conceived in Europe with European customers in mind and is manufactured exclusively in Europe, including the assembly of the high-voltage battery unit.

The body size is 4,360mm in length, 1,830mm in width, 1,564mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,640mm. The front design, which is based on the “hammerhead” motif, combines functionality and design at a high level , and finally adopts DRL (daytime running light) “signature lamps . “

The new C-HR’s interior has been given a more luxurious and sophisticated appearance. All controls are located in the driver’s zone, and the horizontally positioned instrument panel and “wing” design theme create a cocooning cabin feel for occupants, enhancing comfort.

Toyota Camry

Toyota will end sales of the sedan model “Camry” in Japan. The overseas model will undergo a full model change and will continue to be sold in its 11th generation, becoming an overseas-only model. Looking at the history of the Camry, it is currently in its 10th generation, and while in the past it has undergone a full model change every 5-6 years, it is likely that a full model change will occur between 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately, sales in Japan will end with the 10th generation, bringing an end to a 44-year history.

Along with the Corolla, the Camry is a global strategic vehicle that supports the backbone of Toyota Motor Corporation. The Camry was launched in 1980 as the domestic-only model “Celica Camry” (FR vehicle), and in 1982 was revamped with the current name “Camry” and adopted a FF layout, and began to be sold globally. As “Toyota’s global mid-size sedan,” the Camry has been the No. 1 selling passenger car in the United States for 15 consecutive years, and has been sold in over 100 countries and regions, achieving a cumulative total of over 18 million units.

Toyota USA will fully redesign the new Camry and announce it as the 11th generation on November 14, 2023 (local time) . It will use the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) “TNGA-K platform.” The fifth-generation hybrid system will use the more efficient “THS II.” It will also feature the next-generation ” Toyota Safety Sense ,” which can detect bicycles during the day and pedestrians at night .

The XLE and XSE models are upgraded to a 12.3-inch full digital LCD meter and a 12.3-inch display. They also feature an electric parking brake and hold system.

Toyota “Levin”

The Corolla Levin is a compact coupe-type passenger car that was formerly produced and sold by Toyota Motor Corporation. It is a sister car to the Sprinter Trueno, sharing the same chassis and most of its interior and exterior. In August 2000, when the Corolla series (sedan and wagon) was redesigned to the 9th generation (E120 series), sales of the Corolla Levin, along with the Sprinter series (excluding wagons and vans), including its sister car, the Trueno, were discontinued. This marked the end of a 28-year history in Japan.

However, it was later unveiled for the first time in the world at the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 16, 2018, by GAC Toyota Motor Corporation as a vehicle exclusively for the Chinese market. Toyota China (Guangzhou Automobile Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.) has completely redesigned the Levin and began selling it on May 21, 2019. The Levin in China is sold as a sibling model to the Corolla Sedan .

The biggest difference from the Japanese model ” Corolla Sedan ” is the interior, which features a 12.1-inch central control panel , a 7-inch color instrument panel , and a 10.8-inch color head-up display . Toyota Connected and a data communication module (DCM) are standard equipment.

Toyota Allion

This is a four-door sedan passenger car manufactured and sold by Toyota Motor Corporation. It was released in December 2001 as the successor to the Carina, along with its sister car, the Premio, which was the successor to the Corona. Sales ended on April 25, 2021, bringing an end to the model’s nearly 20-year history in Japan.

However, it was later made exclusively for the Chinese market and based on the Chinese-spec Toyota Corolla, it had its own interior and exterior, and its overall length was 4,720mm, its overall width 1,780mm, its overall height 1,435mm, and its wheelbase was extended to 2,750mm. It was sold by FAW Toyota, a joint venture manufacturer with China FAW Group.

The horizontally-oriented front chrome grille and horizontally extending lower grille emphasize the vehicle’s wide styling. The rear design features the same taillight design as the Corolla, which is the base model for the overseas market. The aluminum wheels are of the spoke type and come standard with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. The powertrain is equipped with a newly developed TNGA 2.0L engine, which is compact, lightweight, and has a low center of gravity, yet delivers powerful power.

Subaru “Legacy (B4)”

In July 2020, sales of the sixth-generation Legacy B4 ended in Japan, bringing to a close the Legacy’s 31-year history in both name and reality. The Legacy B4 will be replaced by the existing WRX S4 in Japan.

However, in regions such as North America, a full seventh-generation model change was announced in February 2019, and sales began in the fall of 2021. It will not be sold in markets outside of North America, including Japan.

The exterior maintains the same concept. It adopts Subaru’s common design philosophy, “DYNAMIC x SOLID.” It also uses the next-generation platform, “Subaru Global Platform (SGP).” The interior features a navigation system with a large 11.6-inch full HD display. It also uses an HMI (Human Machine Interface) that can be operated comfortably like a smartphone. It is compatible with “Apple CarPlay” and “Android Auto.”

Nissan Juke

The Juke is a compact crossover SUV passenger car produced and sold by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Production of the car ended in Japan at the end of 2019, bringing an end to its nine-year history.

However, the second generation European model “Juke” underwent a full model change and was officially announced on September 3, 2019 (local time). It was released in November 2019.

The exterior design of the second-generation new Juke continues the iconic circular headlights characteristic of the previous model , with horizontal lines of LED lights at the top flowing into a large V-motion grille. It also features a “floating roof” design on the C-pillars. It also uses the new CMF-B platform adopted from the Renault Captur. CMF (Common Module Family) is a platform jointly developed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Renault. It is basically made up of five modules: “cockpit,” “engine,” “front underbody,” “rear underbody,” and “electronic architecture.” The new model uses 19-inch wheels, up from the 17-inch wheels used on the previous model. The body size has also been enlarged, resulting in a more spacious interior.

It also comes equipped with advanced safety technologies such as “Safety Shield 360” and “ProPilot,” including “Intelligent Emergency Braking.” The interior uses soft padding on the top of the instrument panel to enhance the sense of luxury. The NissanConnect infotainment system uses an 8-inch touchscreen display that is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Assistant. It also features an electric parking brake and hold.

Nissan Sylphy

The Sylphy is a sedan passenger car produced and sold by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in overseas markets. The first and second generations were produced and sold in Japan under the name Bluebird Sylphy . Sales began on August 30, 2000. The second generation was sold from 2005 to 2012, and the third generation was sold from October 5, 2012 until October 26, 2021.

However, Nissan unveiled the new Sylphy for the first time overseas at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show, which was held from April 16th to April 25th, 2019. The previous third-generation model went on sale in Japan on December 5th, 2012, and this marks the first full model change in seven years . The Sylphy was also released by the Chinese joint venture Dongfeng Nissan .

The new Sylphy adopts the latest V-motion design language . It incorporates a V-shaped grille and aggressive headlights, and is based on the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 Concept, with a large Vmotion grille at the front called “Vmotion 2.0 .” It also uses Safety Shield 360. It has been transformed into a wide and low profile. The platform is the new CMF C/D, formed by the CMF engineering architecture. The body dimensions are 4,641mm long, 1,815mm wide, 1,450mm high, and have a wheelbase of 2,712mm. It is equipped with an 8-inch infotainment system.

It underwent a minor change and was unveiled in March 2023 (local time). The e-POWER (hybrid version) was introduced in 2021. Nissan announced a minor change to the Sylphy, the Chinese version of the Sentra, for the 2024 model year in the US market. It features exterior changes and a new infotainment screen. The infotainment system now features a larger 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen with numerous touch-sensitive shortcuts at its base. New features include air conditioning and a multifunction three-spoke steering wheel. It also features an expanded ADAS suite that provides Level 2 autonomous functionality.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V (CR-V) is a mid-size crossover SUV produced and sold by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. The fifth generation was announced on August 30, 2018. Japan was the only major market in the world where the lineage had been discontinued, and the model has returned to the domestic market after a two-year hiatus. The gasoline-powered version was released on August 31, 2018, and the hybrid version was released on November 1, 2018. Production in Japan will end in August 2022, with sales moving to limited stock. Sales in Japan will end in December 2022. The ZR-V will be the successor model. The Japanese model is scheduled to return in late 2024.

Honda will be fully redesigning the CR-V and releasing the sixth generation in North America in October 2022. The new sixth generation CR-V will have a revised exterior design, and like the new Vezel , it has been redesigned from scratch based on the Honda SUV e:concept , a powertrain model , with coupe-like proportions that add to the powerful, clean, and energetic impression of an SUV. The headlights feature LED sequential turn signals. As can be seen from the photo, the rear has a sleek coupe form.

The interior panels are designed with a horizontal and straight line theme, and the HMI (Human Machine Interface) concept is used to reduce eye movement, arrange controls along the flow of movement, and improve visibility. A “sleek and long cabin” is adopted.

Honda Internavi is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It comes equipped with Honda CONNECT, an in-car communication module exclusively for Honda vehicles. Honda Total Care Premium is available. Remote operation via smartphone is possible, and the car itself connects to an emergency support center in the event of an accident or other emergency, enabling quick and accurate troubleshooting support. It also comes equipped with an automatic map update service. It also features the Honda Digital Key and Honda App Center, which allow your smartphone to function as a key, and in-car Wi-Fi, which allows you to purchase data capacity in the car and connect to the internet for enjoyment.

Mitsubishi “Grand Lancer” (known as Galant Fortis in Japan)

The Galant Fortis is a mid-size sedan produced and sold by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. It was first sold in Japan on August 23, 2007. It was decided that sales would end in March 2015 , bringing to an end the Galant trademark in the Japanese market after a total of 46 years.

Mitsubishi will make minor changes to the Lancer (known as the Galant Fortis in Japan) and begin selling the new Grand Lancer in the Taiwanese and Chinese markets on April 6, 2017.

The exterior of the 2017 model has undergone significant changes, particularly at the front. The new “Dynamic Shield” family face has been adopted. The chrome grille, bumper, and headlights have been redesigned. LED daytime running lights have also been incorporated into the bumper next to the fog lights. The aluminum wheels have also been redesigned (16-inch or 18-inch (optional)). A color LCD display is now installed in the meter panel. The new features include a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument panel (smart dashboard, optional), a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a reversing camera, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen (optional). The center console has also been redesigned. A USB port has also been added to the center console. The seats have been redesigned with new upholstery fabric. Sound-insulating material has been placed in various parts to improve quietness.

Honda “City” (Grace)

The City (CITY, 酒奉) is a compact car produced and sold by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. After being discontinued in Japan, the name was revived in 1996 as a four-door compact sedan equivalent to the B-segment class for emerging countries (the third generation overall). In Japan, the fourth generation was introduced as the Fit Aria, and the sixth generation as the Grace. On December 1, 2014, it was released in the Japanese market under the name Grace. Production of the personal model ended on July 10, 2020. Production and sales of driving school vehicles ended on July 31, 2021. The Grace trademark also disappeared.

The seventh-generation City (Grace) was unveiled in Thailand in November 2019. It will be launched in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam from 2020. A minor change will be announced in India in March 2023, and in Thailand in June 2023.

Honda “Elysion”

Production and sales of the Japanese model of the Elysion ended in Japan on October 31, 2013. However, it has undergone a full model change and is still on sale overseas, including in China.

The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun reported on December 9, 2022, that Honda will import a high-end minivan produced in China . Honda’s only minivans are the Odyssey and the Elysion. Furthermore, the second-generation Elysion currently on sale in China is almost identical to the Odyssey sold in Japan. Furthermore, the third-generation Elysion, which was released on January 9, 2016, will undergo a full model change in China in 2023 and become a top-of-the-line large minivan, and will be re-imported to Japan as a Japanese model.

Mitsubishi Motors “RVR”

The Nikkei newspaper announced on February 14, 2024 that Mitsubishi Motors will end production of the crossover SUV “RVR” around April 2024. The overseas model will undergo a full model change and will continue to be sold in its fourth generation, becoming an overseas-only model.

Mazda “MAZDA6”

Mazda announced on January 19, 2024, that it will end sales of the domestic model of its flagship model, the MAZDA6 (sedan and wagon). Production of the domestic model is scheduled to end in mid-April 2024. Orders will also end once production volume has been reached.

Background to continued sales

• Market needs The continued sales of a vehicle model varies depending on the needs of each market. For example, sedans and SUVs are popular in the North American market, and the vehicle lineup differs from that in the Japanese market.
• Brand Strategy Toyota and Nissan have their own brand of Lexus and Infiniti, respectively, which are developed in overseas markets. These brands target different customer segments than those in Japan, and as such, some models are not sold in the Japanese market.
• Development costs: In recent years, automobile development has become costly. When developing a vehicle model, it is easier to recover development costs by assuming sales in multiple markets.

Japan’s situation

• Market Size The Japanese automobile market is smaller than the European and American markets, so it can be difficult to continue selling all vehicle models.
• Environmental Regulations Japan’s environmental regulations are strict, so vehicles sold in overseas markets may not comply with Japanese regulations.
• Sales Networks In overseas markets, sales networks differ from those in Japan, so it may be difficult to continue sales.

summary

Because the needs and circumstances of each market vary, there are cases where models that have been discontinued in Japan are still on sale overseas. It’s quite moving to see so many famous car names still being sold in different parts of the world. I hope that they will come back to Japan one day after seeing how hard they are doing in the world!