Filed under: Government/Legal, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing

Two more Japanese auto industry suppliers, Yazaki and Denso, have been fined by the U.S. Department of Justice and four executives from Yazaki will go to jail, according to reports in the New York Times and Automotive News. Yazaki's $478 million fine and Denso's $78 million fine come on top of the $200 million penalty paid by another Japanese supplier, Furukawa Electric Company, last November as part of a probe into price fixing. Three Furukawa execs also were sentenced to prison.

The DoJ opened the investigation two years ago into collusion among firms setting prices for parts like wire harnesses and ECUs, but is said to have found evidence of such practices since 2000. Yazaki was charged with three felonies, fixing the prices of wire harnesses, instrument panel clusters and fuel senders. Denso was charged with two felonies, conspiring to fix the prices of ECUs and heating control units. Four Yazaki employees, working mainly for its North American operations in Ohio and Kentucky, were charged with violating the Sherman Antitrust Act and will serve from 15 months to two years in prison.

Both companies have pledged to retrain their employees and bolster their antitrust compliance, and both Yazaki's Chairman and CEO said they would return half their pay for three months. The Justice Department investigation continues, and said the CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, "I'm dead certain that there has to be a lot of concern out there."

Feel free to read over the official statements from both Yazaki and Denso after the break.

Continue reading Two Japanese suppliers plead guilty for bid-fixing, will pay record fines

Two Japanese suppliers plead guilty for bid-fixing, will pay record fines originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Videos, Toyota

Well, that didn't take long. The First Toyota FT-86 (a.k.a. Scion FR-S) has made its way to the dyno courtesy of the good people at HKS. How'd it do? The vehicle managed to spin the rollers at 170 rear-wheel horsepower, which dovetails with the 200 crank horsepower announced by Toyota and Subaru after calculating a 15-percent driveline loss. Of course, whenever HKS gets involved, you can feel safe betting your lunch money that forced induction won't be far behind. True to form, HKS showed off its handiwork on a drift car version of the new sports coupe from Toyota.

The FT-86 looks more than happy to dance through a few chicanes sideways, and we can't wait to see the vehicle go fender-to-fender with the best of them. Click past the jump to check out the dyno video for yourself.

Continue reading First Toyota FT-86 coupe dyno'd

First Toyota FT-86 coupe dyno'd originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Technology, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Electric

Saying the Toyota 2000GT holds a special place in our hearts is akin to calling oxygen and water kind of important to our survival. The long-nose two-door was envisioned as a suitable competitor to the likes of the European sports cars rolling out Italy and the UK at the time, and in many ways, the Toyota was far superior. Built at a time when Japan Inc. wasn't exactly known for beautiful automobile designs, the 2000GT may have been influenced by European cars of its day, but it has stood the test of time as one of the country's all-time design greats. The low-volume coupe is a piece of automotive legend, which is exactly why choosing to use a 2000GT as a platform for an electric conversion strikes us equal parts blasphemous and awesome. But that's exactly what Japan's Crazy Car Project has done.

The engineers behind the exercise ditched the standard 2.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine in favor of a 161-horsepower electric motor. A 35kWh lithium-ion battery provides the system with power, and the hood has been covered with photovoltaic cells to help keep the car going. Likewise, the back glass is covered in a transparent solar panel. All told, the system can propel the vehicle to around 124 mph.

Inside, the 2000GT SEV features a modernized interior with plenty of tech-laden gadgets. The vehicle was built in cooperation with Toyota and debuted at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. Let's hope they started with a real basket case, eh? Hit the jump to see a video of the car in action.

Continue reading Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon

With press days for the Detroit Auto Show now behind us, our focus is shifting eastwards. Make that Far East, as the tuners have rolled in for the Tokyo Auto Salon, where Nissan performance tuning arm Nismo has taken on its third compact and given it an attitude adjustment.

Following the recent debuts of the Leaf Nismo and Juke Nismo comes this March Nismo, based on the small hatchback also known as the Micra or (in Taiwan) as the Verita. Nismo has given it a enhanced sportiness through lightweight wheels, updated grille and aero kit, new door mirrors and sportier seats and steering wheel inside.

It's all capped by a pearl white finish with red highlights, but while the Nismo parts catalog is sure to offer bolt-ons for the March, this particular configuration is strictly a concept. Check it out in the pair of high-resolution images along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Performance, Etc., Japan, Videos, Hatchback, Scion, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon

Here's a surprise: Toyota has announced the company will produce the iQ Supercharger first unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon in limited quantities. The automaker has confirmed the development at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. The vehicles will be built by partner Gazoo Racing and will feature a brawnier version of the same 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine found in the standard iQ. With a little forced induction on its side courtesy of a supercharger, the engine should be good for 130 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. That's an increase of 36 ponies and 44 lb-ft over the stock configuration.

Like the concept, the production model will wear a not-so-subtle widebody kit, stiffer suspension and more aggressive brakes than its standard siblings. A six-speed manual transmission will be the only gearbox option. Indoors, buyers can expect to find custom seats and gauges that read all the way up to 124 mph.

Toyota and Gazoo Racing only plan to produce 100 of the muscle-bound iQ Supercharger models, and there's no indication its Scion cousin sold in the States will receive a similar treatment. What a shame. Hit the jump for a brief introductory video featuring the original concept as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota greenlights iQ Supercharger Concept for production [w/video]

Toyota greenlights iQ Supercharger Concept for production [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Lamborghini, Luxury

Anywhere you find rabid car culture you'll find rabid tuners. Japan's no different, where the make-it-hotter ethos applies to everything. When it comes to Lamborghini, Chrysler, and yes, even the Suzuki Every kei car, Wataru Kato's 18-year-old Liberty Walk shop wants to be the last word in entertainment - not only for owners, but also for visitors.

Liberty Walk designs its own parts and applies them to a range of vehicles that go from the understated to the unbelievable. Kato says he wants his shop to be an amusement park for kids who just want to be around supercars. (We assume he means kids of all ages.)

Follow the jump for a video showcasing his work. If we make it there, we might start by asking to play with Kato's white Ferrari F40...

Continue reading Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs

Liberty Walk shows us how Japan does Lamborghini customs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Technology

If Fido can distinguish people and other pooches by their backsides, why not a seat? When students at the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology in Tokyo, Japan asked that question, they came up with a car seat fitted with 360 sensors that makes a map of the pressure applied by your posterior. Among the six rumps tested, the seat was 98 percent accurate at sorting one from another.

The ultimate aim is to work with automakers to develop an anti-theft solution that would be available in the next few years. With such a small testing pool, it's too early to start asking the difficult questions about real-world viability (especially when you start to factor in things like different articles of clothing, Costanza wallets, and so on), but we have a feeling this kind of technology will find an application somewhere.

New car seat concept uses your butt print as identification originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, SUV, Japan, Suzuki, India

Even so, assuming the teasers indicate a concept vehicle, it would likely be some time before we saw a production model frolicking about in the light of day. Early estimates would put a next-generation Samurai on stage at the Delhi Auto Expo in two years or so. Does that mean the U.S. will see the Samurai name return to its soil? With Suzuki's floundering presence here in the states, that seems unlikely, but we would welcome a capable, low-dollar off roader to our shores any day. Head over to the Maruti Suzuki page for a closer look.

Suzuki readying next-gen Jimny/Samurai? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Videos, Toyota

Toyota is out to draw parallels between the company's new GT86 sports car and some of the legends of the automaker's past. A new video depicting the new coupe's development spends plenty of time with the GT86 on screen with the likes of the Toyota Sports 800 and even the AE86. Those are both fine sparring partners for a vehicle that prides itself on superior handling over outright brawn. Watching engineers cane the GT86 around the world's various road courses only stokes our desire for a little more time with the either of the two-door's corporate cousins.

As you may recall, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ both left favorable impressions on us during our recent drives, but we could use a full week's worth of sideways action to figure out whether those pieces of hardware are worthy of sharing tarmac with the likes of the legendary AE86. Hit the jump to take a look.

Continue reading Toyota GT86 spends time with its ancestors

Toyota GT86 spends time with its ancestors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Japan, Toyota

Drivers in Japan have once again taken to the track in an effort to wring maximum mileage from their Toyota hybrids. According to AutoWeek, the Prius Cup resumed this year after a two-year hiatus.

Toyota officials said they have no plans to bring the hybrid competition to the U.S., but played up their promises to compete and win at Le Mans next June with a hybrid.

Dealerships fielded teams at Fuji Speedway in Oyama, Japan, for a national championship race held on December 7. Puttering around the Formula 1 track at Fuji, at least one team managed an astounding 80 miles per gallon in their hypermiling efforts, according to the report.

But is it really racing when the drivers are attempting to maintain an average speed of 37 miles per hour and coasting up hills? We will give them credit though - at least they do turn both left and right.

Is Japan's Prius Cup the world's most boring form of motorsports? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru, Tokyo Auto Salon, Racing

Unlike most cities, Japan's capital city plays host to two major automotive exhibitions: the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon. While these terms may be interchangeable when it comes to European expos, in Tokyo, they connote two different shows altogether. The first is the Motor Show, where new concepts and production models are unveiled by the world's automakers. The Auto Salon is more of a tuner expo along the lines of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. So after Subaru made its long-anticipated splash at the Tokyo Motor Show with its new BRZ, now it's heading to the Salon with some modified versions.

First up is a version of the BRZ Concept STI, packing some prototype carbon-fiber components, suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes and more. Subaru has also teamed up again with aftermarket tuner Prova (which shares its name with the traditional license plates carried by prototypes in italy) for a BRZ Black Edition. And you can bet there will be a handful or two of other tuners eager to show what they can do with the new rear-drive sports coupe, as well.

Subaru itself will also be showcasing an upgraded Impreza called the G4 STI with all manner of performance enhancements, and will, at long last, announce its return to a number of different motorsport disciplines. The Super GT300-spec BRZ, which we already know about, will be displayed alongside the Legacy-based racer it replaces. But there will also be a WRX STI that's slated to be fielded at the Nürburgring 24, and Subaru will also be announcing its return to professional rally competition, though not the World Rally Championship series it left years ago, it will contest the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Nissan

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan wreaked havoc on the automotive supply chain. Toyota, Honda and Nissan lost many thousands of units to the natural disaster, which meant that car buyers here in the U.S. sometimes had a difficult time finding and buying certain vehicles. We know how these disruptions hurt sales, but a study conducted by ALG shows that prices were also shifted because of the shortage of key vehicles.

ALG predicted that a 20-day production disruption would lead to 1.5-percent higher prices, and when production stoppage reaches 100 days, the anticipated spike in prices could be up to 10 percent. So, how'd it turn out in reality?

The study looked at the Nissan Rogue and the Honda Fit. ALG found that Rogue production was back up and running by May, and the CUV went up in price by three percent by June. That's a significant margin, especially when compared to the overall CUV price increase of .3 percent during that time.

The Honda Fit was even harder to find between March and June, and the numbers bear this out. The price of the Fit jumped by 5.6 percent during that time. The compact segment as a whole jumped by a still significant 2.3 percent during that time frame.

Hit the jump to read over the ALG press release.

Continue reading Japanese tsunami led to 3-6% higher transaction prices for certain cars

Japanese tsunami led to 3-6% higher transaction prices for certain cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Europe, Government/Legal, Japan, Earnings/Financials, Australia

Investigators are currently expanding the scope of an automotive component price fixing probe. Officials in Australia, the U.S., Europe and Japan are collaborating to discern the breadth of the issue. So far, 20 automotive suppliers have been identified as being part of the investigation, though it's thought that authorities are looking into a significantly larger number of companies. In fact, a government official has already declared this investigation the largest such probe in U.S. history. Those that have been identified so far are publicly traded and must disclose such investigation to their shareholders by law. Private companies have no such obligation. According to Crain's Detroit Business, the companies in question supplied parts to both automakers and the aftermarket.

So far, only one company has been convicted of price fixing in the investigation. Furukawa Electric Company of Japan has been handed a fine of $200 million and three U.S.-based executives are headed toward incarceration. Sentencing has yet to occur for those workers.

The report says the scandal spreads across automotive systems, and subpoenas have been handed down for raids against at least 19 suppliers over six supply sectors. Even so, those subpoenas may be aimed at securing evidence against a company's competitor, not the manufacturer itself.

Massive auto parts price fixing probe spreads to four continents originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, China, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Honda, Canada

The very first production car from China has made it to North America, though it's not what you might think. In an effort to move more of its production out of Japan, Honda has begun manufacturing Fit models in the People's Republic and importing them to Canada. There's no indication that the vehicles will make their way to the U.S. in the future, however. While there are plenty of automakers who operate plants in China, only a fraction of the vehicles built there are made for export. Last year, only three percent were sent outside of the country's borders.

Honda and other Japanese manufacturers have begun investigating production facilities outside of the U.S. to combat the rising Yen, and Honda says that the company will begin producing Fit models in Mexico for U.S. customers soon. According to The New York Times, Honda may be reticent to test the American waters with a Chinese-built vehicle for fear of risking the company's reputation for quality and reliability. That's despite the fact that the company says Chinese-built Fit models are held to the same production quality standards as any Honda vehicle built elsewhere in the world.

First Chinese car imported to North America built by... Honda? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Japan, Crossover, Hatchback, Mazda, Tokyo Auto Salon, Design/Style

While the Tokyo Motor Show is a stage for the world's manufacturers to strut their production models, the Tokyo Auto Salon allows designers and engineers to stretch their legs with custom hardware. This year, Mazda is bringing 10 special models to the Tokyo Auto Salon, including a custom version of the recently-released CX-5.

The custom CX-5 wears special paint, a lowered ride height and unique wheels for a significantly sportier appearance. Likewise, the company's Demio also receives a little attention, and visitors to the show can expect to see the Demio 13 Skyactiv Smart Stylish bow alongside the CX-5. The pint-sized hatch makes use of a few aero treatments including a front underspoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.

The new Axela Skyactiv will also be on display, complete with a body kit of its own, along with a sharp-looking set of wheels. Visitors can take a closer look at a pair of custom Roadster models as well, including the Black Tuned version and a racing-spec version called the Jimba-Ittai, or Rider and Horse as one. We like the sound of that. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars

Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Infiniti, Nissan, Earnings/Financials

Being a global automaker means having to deal with the rising and falling tides of currency. The climate is particularly difficult in Japan, where the yen is valued at record levels compared to the American dollar. Since a giant chunk of Japanese automotive exports are shipped off to America, that means greatly diminished profits.

As of the end of 2011, Infiniti, Nissan's in-house luxury marque, doesn't build any vehicles outside of it home country of Japan, though the QX full-size SUV was built in the United States for a time. That's all about to change, however, starting with the Infiniti JX crossover that's slated for production in early 2012 in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Soon, more models will be built outside of Japan. "As cars come up for renewal, generally they're being relocated in a function of where the majority of sales are," said Andy Palmer, executive vice president of Infiniti, speaking to Automotive News. We'd guess, then, that the upcoming small hatchback from Infiniti, which is said to be inspired by the Etherea Concept, will be built in Europe.

Even models that continue to be assembled in Japan - important, says Palmer, because, "Part of the myth of Infiniti is Japanese craftsmanship..." - will feature more parts imported from outside the country. Currently, Infiniti averages about 15 percent imported parts content for vehicles assembled in Japan, but the automaker is targeting a new goal of 65 percent "non-yen" content.

If production outside Japan goes well, expect the trend of Japanese brands building more and more vehicles beyond its borders to continue as automakers look to bolster profits in the face of a strong yen. "Somebody in this industry has got to demonstrate that you can make luxury outside of Germany and Japan successfully over time," concludes Palmer. We're guessing he doesn't mean Cadillac...

Infiniti moving production out of Japan to counter strong yen originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Technology

The online news cycle moves at a blistering pace. It's easy to forget that, while the story of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that occurred last March may move from the front page, individuals are still struggling to cope with the widespread devastation on the island.

Google took it upon itself to document the structural destruction in some of the hardest hit areas in its Google Maps Street View function. The tech giant covered more than 27,000 miles to provide a 360-degree imagery archive of the communities that are still reeling from the natural disasters nine months later.

Google has even started a new web site to allow viewers to compare before and after images of specific areas. The Build The Memory site is a stark reminder that, while the world marches on, there's plenty of recovery left in Japan. Head over to the site for a closer look.

Google Street View documents Japan tsunami devastation originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Japan, Videos, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

Maybe you've seen My Fair Lady - the musical story of an ordinary girl turned into someone altogether more elegant. Now meet Miss Fairlady.

Borrowing the name from the original JDM version of the Nissan Z, Miss Fairlady is the Japanese automaker's program for training its show-stand attendants. As might be expected, the program follows traditional Japanese values like the importance of appearance, manners and pride in one's employment.

Perhaps most importantly - and counter to most car show models we've encountered at other automakers' show stands - a Miss Fairlady is well-versed in everything about the company, from its senior executives to the products they're there to promote, so they're prepared to answer your questions instead of tilting their head in confusion. Follow the jump to watch and see these beautiful spokesmodels get schooled.

Continue reading How Nissan trains its "Miss Fairlady" show stand models

How Nissan trains its "Miss Fairlady" show stand models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

2011 has been a trying year for Toyota, as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the flooding in Thailand have conspired to slow vehicle production and cut into profits. Toyota lowered its profit forecast after the Japan disaster, and now Automotive News reports that the automaker is once again cutting expected profits by a significant margin.

Toyota has cut its forecast by 54 percent to reflect manufacturing issues resulting from the Thailand floods. The company is now expecting to make $2.3 billion in the fiscal year ending March 31. In a down economy, a profit is a profit, but this is a far cry from the $10 billion or more Toyota had been earning annually for years.

The revised profit forecast is reportedly less than half of what analysts have expected. The flooding alone will reportedly account for more than $1.5 billion in lost profits. Toyota has also cut vehicle production numbers from 7.6 million vehicles to 7.38 million.

While this is all bad news for Toyota, it's safe to say that the automaker remains in pretty good shape overall. After all, the Japanese automaker has suffered through two major natural disasters in a matter of six months, and it's still expecting a profit. When compared to the billions of dollars lost by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler due to man-made factors a few years ago, the situation at Toyota is hardly as dire as it could be.

Toyota sharply lowers profit forecast in wake of Thai floods originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Japan, Videos

We've seen some terrifying footage from the tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan in March this year, but few manage to capture the full-on terror of the situation like the clip after the jump. The video was taken by a dash camera mounted on a man's vehicle as the tidal waters surged onto the roadway. Individuals abandon their vehicles, desperately running from the inescapable sea swell, and in moments, debris, cars and people are all helplessly swept up together as the water pushes forward. In a situation like this, it would be impossible to know the correct course of action, but the owner of this particular dash cam wisely chose to stick with the safety of his vehicle for as long as possible.

He was eventually forced out into the rolling seawater as the car began to sink, and used a makeshift raft constructed of his belongings to float to a nearby warehouse. He waited there until the waters subsided and was able later to locate his vehicle and recover this footage. Hit the jump to view the absolutely remarkable video for yourself.

Continue reading New dashcam footage recovered of Japanese tsunami from wrecked car

New dashcam footage recovered of Japanese tsunami from wrecked car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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