Car Features - Japanese Branded Cars Sold in Japan and Ten Long Running Japanese Nameplates

Our first part showed vehicles that are sold in the Philippines but NOT (emphasis on the not) available in Japan due to numerous factors. In this part, we will be featuring vehicles that were both sold in the Philippines and in Japan especially that our market is heavily dominated by the Nippons.

With ten Japanese manufacturers here in the Philippines which, give or take, command an estimated 60% of the market in terms of sales, no doubt they do have models which are both unique outside the Japanese market. Most of our ASEAN neighbors get the same Japanese vehicles like us but some are unique to each other. Their counterparts back home may have variations to suit local tastes such as engines and other stuffs but they are still the same car.

Not to forget, we shall discover the ten long running Japanese nameplates which stood the test of time. However, we will be counting their period which are sold inside Japan and years as export only vehicle is not considered.

Long running Japanese car nameplates

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

1951-Current

2. Toyota Crown

1955-Current

3. Nissan Skyline

1959-Current

4. Nissan Patrol

1951-2007

4. Daihatsu Hijet

1960-Current

5. Suzuki Carry
1961-Current

5. Subaru Sambar
1961-Current

6. Nissan Sunny/Bluebird Sylphy/Sylphy
1966-Current

6. Mazda Bongo
1966-Current

6. Toyota Corolla
1966-Current

6. Mitsubishi Colt
1962-2012

7. Mitsubishi Minica
1962-2011

7. Toyota Hiace
1967-Current

8. Mitsubishi Delica
1968-Current

8. Nissan/Datsun Truck
1955-2002

9. Suzuki Jimny
1970-Current

9. Toyota Liteace
1970-Current

10. Nissan Gloria
1959-2004

10. Toyota Corona
1957-2002

Vehicle (Philippine Market)	Years Availability (PH)	Vehicle (Japan Market)	Years Availability (JP)
Daihatsu Charade	1990-1998	Daihatsu Charade	1977-2000
Daihatsu Feroza	1989-1999	Daihatsu Rocky	1989-1998
Daihatsu Hijet	1989-1999	Daihatsu Hijet/Atrai (passenger van)	1960-Current (Hijet), 1981-Current (Atrai)
Honda Accord	1994-Current	Honda Accord/Ascot/Vigor/Inspire/Ascot Innova/Torneo	1976-Current (Accord as a whole), 1989-1997 (Ascot), 1993-1996 (Ascot Innova), 1997-2001 (Torneo), 1981-1995 (Vigor), 1989-2013 (Inspire, seventh and eighth generation Accord in PH market)
Honda City	1996-Current	Honda City/Fit Aria/Grace	1981-1994 (as City), 2002-2008 (as Fit Aria), 2014-Current (as Grace)
Honda Civic	1991-Current	Honda Civic	1972-Current
Honda CR-V	1997-Current	Honda CR-V	1995-Current
Honda CR-Z	2013-Current	Honda CR-Z	2010-Current
Honda HR-V	2000-2002, 2015-Current	Honda HR-V/Vezel	1998-2006 (as HR-V), 2013-Current (as Vezel)
Honda Jazz	2004-Current	Honda Fit	2001-Current
Honda Legend	1994-1998, 2015-Current	Honda Legend	1985-2012, 2014-Current
Honda Odyssey	1997-1998, 2012-Current (2012-2014 for US Market model, 2015-Current for Japan Market model)	Honda Odyssey/LaGreat (US Market model)	1994-Current (Odyssey as a whole), 1999-2004 (LaGreat)
Honda S2000	2001	Honda S2000	1999-2009
Isuzu LS/Fuego	1992-1997 (as LS), 1998-2005 (as Fuego)	Isuzu Faster	1972-1994
Isuzu Trooper	1996-2005	Isuzu Bighorn	1981-2002
Lexus CT	2011-Current	Lexus CT	2011-Current
Lexus ES	2009-Current	Toyota Camry Prominent/Vista/Windom	1989-1991 (as Camry Prominent/Vista), 1991-2006 (as Windom) *VEHICLE NOT SOLD IN JAPAN FROM 2006-ONWARDS
Lexus GS	2009-Current	Toyota Aristo/Lexus GS	1991-2005 (as Toyota), 2005-Current (as Lexus)
Lexus IS	2009-Current	Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS	1998-2005 (as Toyota), 2005-Current (as Lexus)
Lexus LS	2009-Current	Toyota Celsior/Lexus LS	1989-2005 (as Toyota), 2006-Current (as Lexus)
Lexus LX	2009-Current	Lexus LX	2015-Current
Lexus NX	2014-Current	Lexus NX	2014-Current
Lexus RC	2014-Current	Lexus RC	2014-Current
Lexus RX	2009-Current	Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX	1997-2013 (as Toyota), 2009-Current (as Lexus) *REDESIGNED IN 2013 AS AN INDEPENDENT MODEL
Mazda 2	2010-Current	Mazda Demio	1996-Current
Mazda 3	2004-Current	Mazda Axela	2003-Current
Mazda 323/323 Familia/Astina/Lantis	1993-1998 (323 and Astina), 1996-2000 (323 Familia), 1996-1998 (Lantis)	Mazda Familia/Familia Presto/Astina and Eunos 100/Familia Neo/Lantis/Familia Van	1963-2003 (Famiia as a whole), 1973-1977 (as Familia Presto, sedan and coupe only), 1989-1996 (Astina and Eunos 100), 1994-1995 (Familia Neo), 1993-1997 (Lantis), 1994-Current (Familia Van) *VAN MODEL NOT RELATED, STILL PRODUCED.
Mazda 6	2004-Current	Mazda Atenza	2002-Current
Mazda 626	1993-1998	Mazda Capella/Cronos/Eifini MS-6/Autozam Clef	1970-2002 (Capella as a whole), 1991-1994 (Cronos, sedan), 1991-1994 (Eifini MS-6), 1992-1994 (Autozam Clef)
Mazda B2200/B2500	1988-2000	Mazda B-Series/Proceed	1961-1979 (as B-Series), 1985-1998 (as Proceed)
Mazda CX-5	2012-Current	Mazda CX-5	2012-Current
Mazda CX-7	2009-2012	Mazda CX-7	2006-2011
Mazda E2000	1994-1999	Mazda Bongo/Bongo Friendee/Eunos Cargo Wagon	1966-Current (Bongo as a whole), 1995-2005 (Bongo Friendee), Eunos Cargo Wagon (1990-1993)
Mazda MPV	1996-1998	Mazda/Eifini MPV	1989-Current (Mazda MPV), 1991-1997 (Eifini MPV)
Mazda MX-5	1996-1998, 2008-Current	Mazda/Eunos Roadster	1989-1997 (as Eunos), 1998-Current (as Mazda)
Mazda Tribute	2004-2009	Mazda Tribute	2000-2006
Mitsubishi ASX	2010-Current	Mitsubishi RVR	1991-2002, 2010-Current
Mitsubishi Eclipse	1997-1998, 2007-2011	Mitsubishi Eclipse	1990-2000, 2004-2006
Mitsubishi Galant	1977-2012	Mitsubishi Galant/Galant Sigma/Galant Lambda, Galant Eterna Σ/Mitsubishi Eterna/Mitsubishi Emeraude/Mitsubishi Legnum/Mitsubishi Aspire	1969-2005 (Galant as a whole), 1976-1980 (as Galant Sigma), 1981-1989 (Galant Sigma), 1976-1984 (Galant Lambda, coupe), 1980-1987 (Galant Eterna Σ), 1983-1995 (Eterna as a whole), 1992-1995 (Emeraude, hardtop), 1996-2002 (Legnum, wagon), 1998-2003 (Aspire, sedan but used GDI engines)
Mitsubishi Grandis	2005-2011	Mitsubishi Grandis	2003-2009
Mitsubishi L200/Endeavor/Strada	1993-1998, 2012-2015 (as L200), 1999-2006 (as Endeavor), 1999-Current (as Strada)	Mitsubishi Forte/Strada/Triton	1978-1986 (as Forte), 1991-1999 (as Strada), 2006-2011 (as Triton)
Mitsubishi L300/Space Gear	1980s-2011 (Versa Van), 1997-2004 (Exceed Van), 1992-Current (FB body and truck derivatives), 1997-2007 (Space Gear)	Mitsubishi Delica	1968-Current *OTHER VEHICLES FROM MAZDA, NISSAN, AND SUZUKI USE THE DELICA NAME
Mitsubishi Lancer/Lancer EX/Lancer Evolution/Celeste	1973-Current (Lancer as a whole), 1973-2012 (Lancer), 2008-Current (Lancer EX), 1998-2015 (Lancer Evolution), 70s to 80s (Celeste)	Mitsubishi Lancer/Lancer Fiore/Lancer Cedia/Galant Fortis/Lancer Evolution	1973-Current (Lancer as a whole), 1983-1987 (Lancer Fiore, sedan based from Mirage), 1988-1991 (sedan, Mirage or Lancer), 1988-1996 (liftback, as Lancer), 2000-2007 (as Lancer Cedia, Cedia name dropped in 2003), 2007-2015 (as Galant Fortis), 1992-2016 (Lancer Evolution)
Mitsubishi Minica	70s to 80s	Mitsubishi Minica/360/Minica Toppo	1962-2011 (Minica as a whole), 1990-2004, 2008-Current (Minica Toppo) *REINTRODUCED IN 2008 AS TOPPO
Mitsubishi Mirage	2012-Current	Mitsubishi Mirage/Lancer Fiore	1978-2003 (Mirage as a whole) 1983-1987 (Lancer Fiore, sedan), 1988-1991 (sedan, Mirage or Lancer), 1988-1996 (liftback, as Lancer), 1991-1995 (Mirage sedan, Mirage Cyborg hatchback and Mirage Asti coupe), 1992-2002 (Libero wagon), 1995-2003 (Mirage sedan, hathcback, Mirage Asti coupe), 2012-Current (hatchback)
Mitsubishi Montero Sport	2005-Current	Mitsubishi Challenger	1996-2003
Mitsubishi Outlander	2003-2010, 2016-Current	Mitsubishi Airtek/Outlander	2001-2005 (as Airtek), 2005-Current (as Outlander)
Mitsubishi Pajero	1988-Current	Mitsubishi Pajero/Pajero Junior/Pajero Io/Pajero Mini	1982-Current (Pajero), 1995-1998 (Pajero Junior), 1998-2007 (Pajero Io), 1994-2013 (Pajero Mini)
Mitsubishi Space Wagon	1992-1999	Mitsubishi Chariot/Chariot Grandis	1983-2003 (Chariot as a whole), 1983-1997 (as Chariot), 1997-2003 (as Chariot Grandis)
Nissan 200SX	1997-1998	Nissan Silvia	1964-1968, 1974-2002
Nissan 350Z	2003-2009	Nissan Fairlady Z	1969-2000, 2002-Current
Nissan AD Max/Resort	1994-2000	Nissan AD	1982-Current
Nissan Almera	2013-Current	Nissan Latio	2012-Current
Nissan Altima	1993-1998, 2014-Current	Nissan Teana	2013-Current (Third generation model)
Nissan Bluebird	1990-1993	Nissan Bluebird	1957-2001
Nissan Cedric	1994-1998	Nissan Cedric	1960-2004
Nissan Cefiro	1989-1991, 1997-2007	Nissan Cefiro	1988-2003
Nissan Eagle/Power Eagle/Pathfinder	1988-1998	Nissan/Datsun Truck	1955-2002
Nissan Juke	2015-Current	Nissan Juke	2010-Current
Nissan Maxima	1987-1991	Nissan Violet	1973-1992 (Violet as a whole)
Nissan Murano	2006-2015	Nissan Murano	2004-2015
Nissan Patrol	1987-Current	Nissan Patrol/Safari	1951-1980 (as Patrol), 1980-2007 (as Safari)
Nissan Sentra/Sylphy/California	1987-2014 (as Sentra), 2014-Current (as Sylphy), 1988-1992 (California, wagon)	Nissan Sunny/Bluebird Sylphy/Sylphy	1966-2005 (as Sunny), 1989-1996 (Sunny California, wagon), 2000-2012 (as Bluebird Sylphy), 2012-Current (as Sylphy)
Nissan Serena	2002-2012	Nissan Serena	1991-Current
Nissan Teana	2007-2014	Nissan Teana	2003-Current
Nissan Terrano	1996-2003	Nissan Terrano/Terrano Regulus	1989-2002
Nissan Urvan/NV350 Urvan	1988-2015 (as Urvan), 2015-Current (as NV350 Urvan)	Nissan Caravan/NV350 Caravan/Homy	1973-Current (Caravan as a whole), 1973-2012 (as Caravan), 2012-Current (as NV350 Caravan), 1965-1997 (as Homy)
Nissan Vanette	1993-2000	Nissan Vanette/NV200 Vanette	1978-2011 (as Vanette), 2009-Current (as NV200 Vanette)
Nissan Verita	2000-2004	Nissan March	1982-Current
Nissan X-Trail	2003-Current	Nissan X-Trail	2000-Current
Subaru Forester	2001-Current	Subaru Forester	1997-Current
Subaru Impreza/WRX	1997-1999, 2002-Current	Subaru Impreza/WRX	1992-Current
Subaru Legacy	1996-1999, 2006-Current	Subaru Legacy/Legacy B4/Legacy Touring Wagon/Legacy Landcaster	1989-Current (Legacy as a whole), 1989-2014 (Legacy Touring/Grand wagon, wagon), 1998-Current (Legacy B4, sedan), 1997-2003 (Legacy Landcaster, a raised wagon)
Subaru Levorg	2015-Current	Subaru Levorg	2014-Current
Subaru Outback	2006-Current	Subaru Outback	2003-Current
Subaru XV	2012-Current	Subaru Impreza XV	2012-Current
Suzuki Alto/Celerio	2007-Current (Alto), 2009-Current (Celerio)	Suzuki Alto	1979-Current
Suzuki Carry	1988-Current	Suzuki Carry	1961-Current
Suzuki Esteem	1997-2002	Suzuki Cultus Cresent	1995-2002
Suzuki Kizashi	2012-Current	Suzuki Kizashi	2009-2015
Suzuki Samurai/Jimny	1989-Current	Suzuki Jimny	1970-Current
Suzuki Swift	2005-Current	Suzuki Swift	1983-Current
Suzuki SX4	2008-2015	Suzuki SX4	2006-Current
Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara/XL-7	1995-2004 (Vitara), 2000-Current (Grand Vitara), 2003-2005 (XL-7)	Suzuki Escudo/Grand Escudo	1988-Current (Escudo), 2000-2005 (Grand Escudo)
Toyota 86	2012-Current	Toyota 86	2012-Current
Toyota Alphard	2010-Current	Toyota Alphard/Vellfire	2002-Current (Alphard), 2007-Current (Vellfire)
Toyota Camry	1996-Current	Toyota Camry/Camry Gracia (US Market model)	1982-Current (Camry as a whole), 1996-2001 (Camry Gracia)
Toyota Corolla/Corolla Altis	1966-1985, 1989-2005 (Corolla), 2001-Current (Corolla Altis)	Toyota Corolla/Corolla Axio/Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno/Corolla Ceres/Corolla Fielder/Corolla FX/Corolla RunX/Corolla Spacio/Corolla Rumion	1966-Current (Corolla as a whole), 1966-2006 (as Corolla), 2006-Current (as Corolla Axio), 1972-2000 (Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, sports coupe), 1992-1998 (Corolla Ceres, hardtop), 1966-2000 (as Corolla wagon), 2000-Current (as Corolla Fielder, wagon), 1983-1995 (Corolla FX, hatchback), 2001-2006 (Corolla RunX, hachback), 1997-2007 (Corolla Spacio, MPV), 2007-2016 (Corolla Rumion, hatchback)
Toyota Corona	1973-1985, 1991-1999	Toyota Corona/Corona Premio/Corona EXIV/Corona SF	1957-2002 (Corona as a whole), 1996-2001 (Corona Premio), 1989-1998 (Corona EXIV, hardtop), 1989-1996 (Corona SF, liftback)
Toyota Crown	1970s-1980s, 1989-1999	Toyota Crown/Crown Majesta	1955-Current (Crown as a whole), 1991-Current (Crown Majesta, higher model)
Toyota Echo Verso	2000-2004	Toyota Fun Cargo	1999-2005
Toyota Echo/Yaris	2000-2002 (Echo), 2007-Current (Yaris)	Toyota Vitz	1998-Current
Toyota FJ Cruiser	2013-Current	Toyota FJ Cruiser	2011-Current
Toyota Hiace	1970s-1980s, 1995-Current	Toyota Hiace/Hiace Regius/Grand Hiace/Touring Hiace	1967-Current (Hiace as a whole), 1999-2002 (Grand Hiace and Touring Hiace), 1997-1999 (Hiace Regius)
Toyota Hilux	1970s-1980s, 1993-Current	Toyota Hilux/Hilux Surf	1968-2004 (Hilux, pickup), 1984-2009 (Hilux Surf, SUV)
Toyota Land Cruiser	1970s-1980s, 1993-Current	Toyota Land Cruiser	1951-Current (Though the Land Cruiser name was used in 1954, it's origins were based from the Jeep BJ in 1951)
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	1997-Current	Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	1984-1990 (as variant of Land Cruiser 70), 1990-Current (as standalone model)
Toyota Liteace	1989-1999	Toyota Liteace/Townace	1970-Current (Liteace), 1976-Current (Townace)
Toyota Previa	1994-1999, 2003-Current	Toyota Estima/Enima/Lucida	1990-Current (Estima), 1992-2000 (Enima and Lucida, smaller versions)
Toyota Prius	2009-Current	Toyota Prius	1997-Current
Toyota Prius C	2012-Current	Toyota Aqua	2011-Current
Toyota RAV4	1997-Current	Toyota RAV4	1994-Current
Toyota Vios	2003-Current	Toyota Belta	2005-2012