Japanese used car exporter groups

We take a serious look at the used car exporter groups and associations in Japan. What of the claims that they are recognized by the Japanese government, or have only the most reliable exporters in their association. We'll explain what it takes to become a member of these groups.

Japanese Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA)

Importers must be made aware that JUMVEA is certainly not helpful for them. So, why do a lot of importers feel they should trust JUMVEA members? Simply put, marketing by its members, and importers not being informed about what JUMVEA really is. We hope this article will explain enough.

This group seems to be the oldest and most established of the exporter groups in Japan. JUMVEA is a group of used vehicle exporters, nothing more. While their members state on their websites that they are recognized by JUMVEA as being "a most reliable trading firm in Japan", this statement is very questionable. The only criteria to joining JUMVEA is that the exporter must have a used car trading license to buy and sell used cars (second hand goods) and have a place of business in Japan. IS that all it takes to be a "most reliable trading firm in Japan"? I think the general public will agree that those two criteria alone means that anyone with a license and place of business could be called the same.

It costs exporters 100,000yen to join, and the yearly fee is 72,000yen.

One point of interest is that the chairman of JUMVEA is also the owner of Yamagin Motors. The author was told of a case that an importer in Canada had wished to make a claim about one of the JUMVEA members. So, that importer called JUMVEA's office and told the man who answered the phone the story of how one of its members, Yamagin Motors, had not properly washed the vehicles in a container that was imported into Canada. An inspection was done on the container and the importer was fined for having imported dirty vehicles. The importer was told by the JUMVEA representative that JUMVEA does not accept claims against its members. The importer later found out that the chairman of JUMVEA is also the owner of Yamagin. One must ask, if the chairman of JUMVEA is not willing to assist his customer for a fault made by his company, how can one take JUMVEA seriously as having reliable members? Not a very good example of reliability at all!

While JUMVEA may be very useful for its members, it should not make claims of saying their members are the most reliable in Japan. They do not regulate their members in cases of bad business dealings and they do not assist their member's customers if there are any problems with the members.

Japan Used Car Dealer Association (JU)

This group is just a conglomerate of auction companies that have come together under the JU name. Members buy used vehicles from these auctions.

Japan Automobile Dealers Association(JU)

JADA is just a group of retail car dealers, from what we can tell. Their site is all in Japanese.

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association(JU)

JAMA website is very informative and gives a list of other associations in Japan. While not particular to used vehicles, JAMA offers stats and publications.