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日本车企在扩大美国以外销路,应对高关税常态
日经中文网·2025-09-21 00:33

Core Viewpoint - Japanese automakers are expanding their sales outside the U.S. due to the impact of U.S. tariff policies, with Mitsubishi and Mazda adjusting their export strategies to mitigate profit declines from the U.S. market [2][4][5]. Group 1: Tariff Impact - The U.S. government reduced tariffs on Japanese cars from 27.5% to 15%, but this is still significantly higher than the previous 2.5% before spring [4]. - The tariff reduction will have a substantial impact on Mitsubishi, with an estimated loss of 32 billion yen in the fiscal year 2025 [4]. - Japanese automakers are focusing on expanding markets outside the U.S. to compensate for declining profits from U.S. operations [2][4]. Group 2: Mitsubishi's Strategy - Mitsubishi is leveraging its strong brand image in design and off-road performance to enhance profitability in the South American market [5]. - The company has begun exporting vehicles from Brazil to neighboring countries like Argentina, which were previously only sold in Brazil [4][5]. Group 3: Mazda's Adjustments - Mazda is reducing exports of small cars from Mexico to the U.S. due to low profit margins and is redirecting these vehicles to other regions [5][7]. - The company has seen a significant drop in exports to the U.S., with a 57% decrease in "Mazda3" exports and a 37% decrease in "CX-30" exports in August [7]. Group 4: Overall Industry Outlook - Japanese automakers, except Nissan, are projecting profitability for the fiscal year 2025, largely due to the depreciation of the yen [8]. - Companies are enhancing cost competitiveness to maintain profitability even if the exchange rate shifts to 110 yen per dollar [8]. - The automotive market in the U.S. is experiencing price increases, which may lead to a decline in sales, making the expansion into non-U.S. markets critical [8].