Our relation with Japanese products is different from any other in the world. It’s a relation built on admiration and appreciation that led to loyalty in certain stages. My generation fought very hard on the side of the Jap’s. This continuous war was meant to be won by the elder who had a great respect for the American product. By then, the old folks were never ready to replace ‘Ford’ & ‘GMC’ with some ‘tiny’ piece of metal on wheels called ‘Toyota’ or ‘Datsun’! But we sow the bigger spirit behind the smaller measurements. In early 80’s, as we started using Japanese cars massively, the elder started doing this too as soon as they discovered that these cars understand us better. From engine temperature readers to freezing cold A/C in Japanese cars, the American car was more of a government choice rather than a popular.
Now, Japan car makers should know this: Most of us cannot afford the new prices of Japanese cars. It is seriously too expensive to buy a ‘Land Cruiser’ for example. Who could have ever thought that a small Japanese sedan would exceed the price of a midsize American sedan?
In Saudi Arabia it is not a choice. Driving a car is a must to all of us as long as we don’t have public transportation. Therefore, the process of buying cars has no limits because millions of us need cars to move around. Now, if Japanese cars are going to keep up the price rise by the month. I believe that the Saudis will soon take a longer look at the Korean choice.
The writer is Chairman,
Saudi Cartoon & Animation Society
Twitter: @abdullahsayel
