Core Viewpoint - The Japanese import car market is undergoing significant changes, with Suzuki's Jimny Nomad leading sales, indicating a shift towards vehicles produced in India that match the quality of domestic cars [1][3]. Group 1: Suzuki's Performance - Suzuki's import car sales in Japan reached 3,990 units in April, an increase of 8,300% year-on-year, surpassing Mercedes-Benz and BMW [3]. - The Jimny Nomad, a five-door version of the popular Jimny, received overwhelming demand, with orders exceeding 50,000 within four days of its launch [3]. - Suzuki aims to develop India as an export base, planning to increase annual production capacity to 4 million units by 2031, with an investment of 1.2 trillion yen in the production system [3]. Group 2: Honda's Growth - Honda's import car sales in Japan from January to April reached 16,720 units, a 65% increase year-on-year, with the WR-V SUV contributing to this growth [4]. - The overall sales of Japanese cars imported from overseas increased by 33% in the same period, reaching 35,269 units, matching levels not seen since 1995 [4]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The rise in imported vehicles, particularly from India, poses a risk of hollowing out Japan's domestic automotive industry, as local production investments face challenges due to a shrinking market and increased tariff risks [5]. - Japanese automakers are at a crossroads, with companies like Toyota emphasizing the need to maintain domestic production targets amidst these changes [5].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights Suzuki's strategy to accelerate global exports of cars produced in India, particularly through its subsidiary Maruti Suzuki India, which currently exports 17 models to around 100 countries and regions [3][4]. - Suzuki's Vice President, Kenichi Ayukawa, has been instrumental in overseeing the Indian operations and has noted significant changes in India's manufacturing capabilities over the past 40 years, from a non-existent automotive industry to a robust supply chain with Tier 1 suppliers establishing production bases in India [4]. Group 2 - The article emphasizes the collaboration between Suzuki and local suppliers in India, which has led to the expansion of local supplier capabilities by adopting Japanese technology and Western management practices [4].